Munster

Muenster is located in the north of North Rhine-Westphalia. The closest major cities to Münster are Osnabruck (44 km to the north), Dortmund (61 km to the south), Bielefeld (62 km to the east) and Enschede ( Netherlands ) (65 km to the north-west).

The city is one of 42 metropolitan areas in Germany. In terms of its area, it is in 16th place among the cities of Germany with the largest area, but almost half of the city is used for agricultural needs.

Climate

Despite the fact that the average annual rainfall in Münster (700 mm / year) is approximately equal to the average annual rainfall in Germany, the glory of a rainy city is firmly entrenched in the city. The reason for this is not in the absolute amount of precipitation, but in the large number of rainy days. The average annual temperature is 9 ° C at approx. 1,500 hours of sunshine per year. Compared with other German cities, according to this indicator, Munster is among 20% ​​of the cities with the most cloudy weather. Winter in Münster is quite mild; snow is relatively rare. Summer temperature corresponds to the national average.

Administrative division of the city

In accordance with Art. 1 of the Charter of the city, Munster is divided into 6 administrative districts: Center, North, East, West, Southeast and Hiltrup. In each such district there is a local government of 19 members who are elected in communal elections. These areas, in turn, consist of smaller entities.

The history of the city spans over 1200 years. The original settlement was founded in 793 by Charlemagne , who ordered the construction of a monastery near his residence (the name of the city comes from the Latin word "monasterium"). In the first half of the XVI century, the archives of the city were completely destroyed. Thus, historical information relating to the period up to the specified time is partially inaccurate and based on documents that were stored outside the city.

805 - Münster was granted city status.

In 1170, Münster received city status. Around the same time, the construction of city fortifications began. The length of the city wall was about 4 km. In the middle of the XIV century it was strengthened by the construction of other buildings. At this time, Münster was the largest city in Westphalia.

1358 is the first mention of Munster as a member of the Hansa . However, it is possible that by that time the city had long been in this alliance.

From 1534 to 1536 - the Münster commune .

In 1648, an event of a European level took place in the city - the signing of the Peace of Westphalia , which put an end to the Thirty Years War and the Eighty Years War .

In 1811, these lands were annexed by France, and Munster became the administrative center of the Lippe department .

From 1815 to 1945 - the capital of the Prussian province of Westphalia .

1915 - the population of the city exceeded the mark of 100,000 people.

June 18, 1990 - as part of the preparation of the “ 2 + 4 Agreement ”, a meeting between Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Eduard Shevardnadze was held at the historical town hall. Residents of the city gave the politicians a stormy welcome.

The population of Munster is more than 270 thousand people and about 10 thousand more indicate Munster as their second place of residence. About 9% of the population are foreigners. 6.3% of the working population are unemployed (December 2007). 80% of all working residents are employed in the service sector , 17% in the manufacturing industry and 1% in agriculture .

The average resident of Münster is under 36 years old and is thus 4 years younger than the average German citizen. Life expectancy is 76.3 years for men and 83.1 years for women. This is the highest life expectancy in German cities.

The main employing organizations in Münster were never industrial enterprises, but rather educational and managerial institutions, including the university and the district administration. Therefore, Münster is often referred to as the “Westphalia desk”. Münster also plays a much larger role in commerce in his region than other cities of the same size. Along with these sectors, agriculture, especially in areas remote from the central part of the city, continues to play a large role in the city’s economy.

In Munster there are no large enterprises and only a small number of medium ones. Mention may be made of BASF Coatings AG , the BASF varnish production department , Brillux paint and varnish factory, as well as Westfalen AG , the German network of gas stations.

Muenster is considered a university city. In total, about 50,000 students study there.

University of Westphalia Wilhelm ( German: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität ), which has 42,000 students in 15 faculties ( data for the winter semester 2005/2006 ), is one of the largest universities in Germany and the largest employer in the city (13,000 employees, including a university clinic). The university was founded in 1780. From April 1, 2004, the University of Münster also belongs to the University. The university owns more than 280 buildings in the city.

In July-September 1999, the University underwent treatment for leukemia, and then R. M. Gorbachev died.

Also to the largest universities of its type belongs to the Higher Professional School of Münster ( German: Fachhochschule Münster ). Almost 12,000 students study at 12 faculties (including the Steinfurt branch). It was founded in 1971 and is the largest vocational school in Germany.

The leading research center of Münster is the Max Planck Society (founded on August 1, 2001)

Other higher education institutions of the city

• Graduate School of Public Administration ( German: Fachhochschule des Bundes für öffentliche Verwaltung ) (founded in 1978)
• Academy of Arts ( German: Kunstakademie Münster ) (founded in 1971)
• Higher Catholic School of North Rhine-Westphalia ( German: Katholische Fachhochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen ) (founded in 1971)
• Münster School of Business Administration and Economics

The most successful football club in the city is Preussen Munster , the country's 1951 vice-champion. Since the 2011/2012 season, he has been playing in the third league of the country. USC Münster Volleyball Club plays in the first volleyball league.

Various sporting events are regularly held in the city: a marathon , a regatta on Lake Aase.

Muenster is rich in masterpieces of both historical and modern architecture. The historical appearance of the city was formed primarily by churches, of which there are more than 20. There is a special place among them in St. Paul's Cathedral ( German St. Paulus Dom ) and Lambertikirche ( German Lambertikirche ). During the Second World War, the central part of the city was almost completely destroyed, however, many buildings were subsequently restored. Among the works of modern architecture, it is worth noting the building of the city theater ( German: Städtische Bühnen ) and the city library.

Once every 10 years, an international competition of sculptural projects is held in the city, after which the city is enriched with various sculptures, the number of which has now reached 60.

About 5 million tourists visit the city annually. About 478 thousand people, of which about 47,000 foreigners, remain in the city for several days and spend an average of three days in the city. Münster is loved by guests for its regional holidays such as EuroCityFest, the Christmas market and the Send fair. These events attract many visitors from the Ruhr region and the Netherlands .

The city has 8 theaters, 30 museums (including the archaeological , paleontological , museum of the Bible , etc.), a planetarium , a zoo , 80 hotels with approx. 7000 places, about 800 cafes and restaurants.

Rewards

1991 , 2004 , 2005 - “The friendliest city for cyclists” (Union for the Protection of the Environment and Nature).

2004 - “The best city to live in” ( LivCom-Award ).

2001 - Winner of the national contest "Accessibility of the Central Parts of the City", held by ADAC .

2004 - for the initiative “Heart for children” the city was named “the friendliest city for children”.

2005 - Gold Medal European Energy Award.

2006 - gold medal of the national competition “Our city is blossoming” ( German: Unsere Stadt blüht auf ).

2007 - gold medal of the international competition " Entente Florale ".

Quotes

• “Either it's raining, or bells ring in Münster. If both, then Sunday is today ”- a local saying .
• “One of the most beautiful cities in Germany” - Hans Gunter Winkler , multiple Olympic champion and world champion in equestrian sports.
• “A beautiful, rightly noble city. Here, the great past corresponds to the dynamic present. Impressive ”- Pope Benedict XVI , when he was an assistant professor at the University of Münster.
• “Was all this destroyed?” This is completely invisible. ”- Eduard Shevardnadze , USSR Foreign Minister, on the central part of the city.
• “In Münster, I had an extraordinary opportunity to meet with and participate in a wonderful piece of history” - Henry Kissinger , US Secretary of State .

Russian Orthodox Church

Since 1996, in Münster there has been a Russian Orthodox Church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Divine services are held weekly at Hammerstraße 371. ^{[5] [6]}

•   York , England , since 1958
•   Orleans ( fr. Orléans ), France , since 1960
•   Kristiansand ( Norwegian Kristiansand ), Norway , since 1967
•   Monastir ( Arabic: المـنسـتير ), Tunisia , since 1969
•   Rishon Lezion ( Hebrew רִאשׁוֹן לְצִיּוֹן ), Israel , since 1981
•   Fresno ( English Fresno ), USA , since 1986
•   Ryazan , Russia , since 1989
•   Mühlhausen ( German: Mühlhausen ), Thuringia , since 1990
•   Lublin ( Polish Lublin ), Poland , since 1991

• Wilkinghege Castle

• Official website of the city of Münster (German)
  • Models of the city on the website of the Münster City Museum (German)
• Site of the competition of sculptural projects in 2007 (German) (English)