Page 95 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

DRIVE 8: Palaces and Castles of Münsterland 93

8 Münster
North Rhine-Westphalia; 48143
Steeped in centuries of learning, the capital of Westphalia is the
university city par excellence. World War II saw 90 per cent of the old
town laid to ruins, but most of it has now been rebuilt. In 2004, the
UN Environmental Programme hailed Münster as the world’s most
livable city. For visitors, its shops and fine cuisine add to its appeal
and complement the impressive monuments and museums.

A 90-minute walking tour vestibule illustrating the labours of
The car park is located in the the months. Opposite the cathedral,
forecourt of Schloss Münster 1, the Landesmuseum 5 (closed Mon)
the palace of Münster’s Prince­Bishop dis plays art and sculp ture from the
rulers. Designed by the court’s master­ medi eval to the modern ages. It
architect Johann Conrad Schlaun, the includes reli gious sculptures by
Baroque residence is now the main Münster’s Heinrich Brabender that sur ­
university building. From the car park, vived the Anabaptist purges. Walk
cross the road into Frauenstrasse. across Domplatz to Prinzipalmarkt, a
Turn left into Jüdefelderstrasse to the former merchants’ street that now has Above Thirteenth-century twin-spired Dom
Kuhviertel 2, a cosy nest of lanes full some of the finest shops. Ahead is St Paul, Münster
of student drinking dens. Walk the gabled Gothic Rathaus
back to Frauenstrasse and 6 (closed Mon) where the VISITING MÜNSTER
turn left to the Gothic Catholic fac tion brokered a Parking
Liebfrauenkirche, the Church peace deal to end the Thirty The city’s largest parking areas are at
of Our Lady, popu larly called Years’ War. Walk down the the Schloss on Schlossplatz. Central car
Überwasserkirche 3, or main street to the 15th­cen­ parks on Königstrasse and Heinrich­
church over water, after tury Lambertikirche 7. The Brüning­Strasse are busy at weekends.
the Aa river behind it. three iron cages attached to Tourist Information
Continue down the road its spire were used to display Klemensstrasse 10, 48143; 0251 492
and cross the Aa to reach Detail on the door of the exe cuted Anabaptist 27 10; www.tourismus.muenster.de;
closed Sun
a cobbled lane framed by the Schloss Münster revo lu tionaries. Turn right
the twin spires of the Dom in front of the church to
St Paul 4, built in the 13th century stroll down Salzstrasse. Go past the
to replace the mon astery that gave Stadtmuseum 8 (closed Mon) at EAT AND DRINK IN MÜNSTER
Münster its name. Inside is a beauti­ No. 28, which has Anabaptist exhibits,
fully painted 16th­century astrono­ to the Promenadenring park land that Café Kleimann inexpensive
mical clock by painter Ludger Tom circles the city. A stroll along the Located opposite the Lambertikirche,
Ring and a frieze in the Romanesque prome nade leads back to the car park. Café Kleimann is an acclaimed
Konditorei (cake shop).
Prinzipalmarkt 48, 48143; 0251 430 64;
0 metres 200 Kuhviertel www.konditorkleimann.de; closed Sun
ÜBERWASSERSTR Kleiner Kiepenkerl moderate
0 yards 200 JÜDEFELDERSTRASSE ROSENSTR BERGSTRASSE VOSSGASSE BÜLT HÖRSTERSTR This upmarket family­run inn offers
regional fare such as sausage platters.
SPIEKERHOF
ALTER
SCHLOSSPLATZ
Spiekerhof 47, 48143; 0251 434 16;
Schloss FRAUENSTRASSE Überwasserkirche BOGEN- STR FISCHMARKT SONNENSTRASSE Tables are set on a terrace in summer.
Münster TIMPEN Aa Dom St Paul Lambertikirche www.kleiner-kiepenkerl.de; closed Mon
DOMPLATZ SALZSTRASSE ALTER STEINWEG MAURITZSTR Pinkus Müller moderate
PFERDEGASSE Landes- PRINZIPALMARKT Rathaus In the Kuhviertel is Münster’s last
surviving and oldest microbrewery
B I S P I N G H O F museum KLEMENSSTR LOER S T R A S S E Stadtmuseum specializing in draught beers and
ROTHENBURG
regional cuisine such as veal
ragout Töttchen.
AEGIDIISTRASSE KÖNIGSSTRASSE LUDGERISTRASSE KLOSTERSTRASSE Kreuzstrasse 4–10, 48143; 0251 451 51;
Promenade
VON-VINCKE-STRASSE
www.pinkus-mueller.de; closed Sun
Promenade
Gourmet 1895 expensive
VERSPOEL WINDTHORSTSTRASSE Münster’s leading gourmet restaurant
serves first­class tasting menus in the
AM STADTGRABEN
ADENAUERALLEE
Promenade
SCHORLEMERSTRASSE Bahnhofstrasse 14, 48143; 0251 417
SCHÜTZENSTRASSE
Aasee Kaiserhof hotel just outside the centre.
87 00; www.kaiserhof-muenster.de;
closed Sun & Mon
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40
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