Münster - Your European

headquarter in Germany

The city of Münster in North Rhine-Westphalia, located on the northern edge of the “Ruhrgebiet” is almost exactly in the center of Germany. With more than 300,000 inhabitants and 55,000 students, Münster is one of the largest university towns in Germany. Münster is regarded as a service and administration hub and is home to several universities. Important courts and administrative facilities for North Rhine- Westphalia are based in Münster, including the Constitutional Court and the Higher Administrative Court. Münster is known as the cycling city of Germany as well as for its historic old town, largely restored after the Second World War.

Most liveable city

in the world?

Münster received the gold medal of the LivCom Awards in 2009. As the first German city ever to be awarded this honour, it won against prominent competitors such as Seattle and Coventry as the most liveable city in the world. The prize is awarded annually and supported by the United Nations Environment Program to municipalities, who provide outstanding services to improve their quality of life. It is evaluated in categories such as environment and landscape, citizen participation, preservation of historical heritage, and sustainable future planning.

Westphalia - The center of

equestrian sport in Germany

With more than 100,000 horses the Münsterland is one of Europe's richest region of horses. Of 1.5 million inhabitants in the region operate about 80,000 Horse-Riding, Vaulting or learn in therapy with horses to know a new world. About 1,000 horse farms are in a radius of Münster. A density that is not found in any other region. Idyllic half-timbered houses, rustic barns open, ultra-modern equestrian facilities - everyone can find the right one for the horse passion in Münsterland.

Turnier der Sieger

Riding Competition

Since 1955 the Turnier der Sieger has been one of the annual highlights of German equestrian sport. Held in front of the imposing backdrop of Münster’s baroque Schloss, the former Bishop’s Palace, the event regularly attracts the very top riders in international dressage and showjumping.

Mongolfiade

The Montgolfiade Münster is the oldest hot-air balloon event in Germany and is carried out annually since 1969, alternately in Münster and in one of the municipalities of the region Münsterland.

AASEERENADEN

The spectacular floating stage at the Aaseeterrassen (Aasee Terraces) provides the Mediterranean setting for a highly unusual open-air music festival: the Aaseerenaden, an annual event, completely privately funded, and admission to which is free. The cultural event combines music of many genres and opens the opportunity, for once, to experience orchestral music not in the concert hall but in the park-like surroundings of the Aasee Lake.

Christmas market

At Christmas, the Prinzipalmarkt is a sea of golden lights, the arcades are decorated with advent garlands, and the aroma of mulled wine and sugar-roasted almonds drifts through the streets of Münster. Münster’s five Christmas markets, each one only a few minutes’ walk from the next, are strung through the Old Town like beads on a chain: • The oldest of the Christmas markets can be found in the inner courtyard of the Town Hall. • At the foot of the mighty Lamberti church, surrounded by historic arcaded houses, the St. Lamberti “Christmas Lights Market” is located. • The third market is centred around the Kiepenkerl, the monument to the peddlers who once traded their wares in and around Münster. • The Aegidii Christmas Market is designed to appeal particularly to families. • The fifth market is set against the historic walls of the Überwasser Church and with a wonderful view of the illuminated towers of the cathedral.

Skulptur Projekte

In Münster, you are literally quite likely to stumble over art anywhere. “Art in public spaces” is the longstanding motto of the “Skulptur Projekte", an event that has placed Münster firmly on the international art map. Although held only once every ten years since 1977, each event draws huge numbers of international visitors to the city and have left permanent marks in the form of sculptures - meanwhile around 60 of them - to be found everywhere in the city, including works by Henry Moore, Eduardo Chillida, Claes Oldenburg, Rosemarie Trockel or Ilija Kabakov, to name just a few. A short movie about Skulptur Projekte can be found on the website of the City of Münster: Click here for the film Click here for the film

Have we aroused your

curiosity?

Here you will find a video

showing Münster from

above.