Historical City Hall of Münster, Munster

Historical City Hall of Münster, Munster (must see)

Situated along Principal Market (Prinzipalmarkt), the city's central marketplace and shopping district is the Historical City Hall of Münster (Historisches Rathaus Münster). The building gained fame as the location used for the peace negotiations in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe and the Eighty Years' War, also known as the Dutch Revolt. The council chamber of this historic town hall is known as the Hall of Peace (Friedenssaal).

The building is estimated to date from the 14th century. Its sandstone facade features a stunning Gothic-style design. The structure's layout splits into three levels as arcade floor, the main floor, and the gable floor. The front boasts a lovely arched colonnade. The building's eye-catching Gothic gable is highly ornate and can't be missed while roaming through Principal Market.

This town hall now operates as a museum in the historical Peace Hall. The council chamber walls where the peace treaties were signed are decorated with ornately carved wood paneling. A small figure of Jesus on the cross is mounted behind the judge's table. There are wall portraits and an elaborate chandelier in the room. Inside a glass display case is the famous 17th-century "Golden Cockerel," a gilded silver wine goblet in the shape of a rooster.

The museum includes historical weapons and suits of armor. You'll find a rather eclectic collection of artifacts on display, including a decoratively engraved fireplace and chimney replica, 16th-century bench seat cushions, a doorkeeper's staff, and a 17th-century woman's slipper. The oddest is a small oak box topped with an actual severed hand, origin unknown!

The building was seriously damaged when it was hit by bombs during World War II and soon underwent a complete restoration. A full reconstruction of its original appearance didn't begin until 1950 and took most of the decade to complete. This significant historical landmark is a must-see during your tour of Munster.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Munster. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Historical City Hall of Münster on Map

Sight Name: Historical City Hall of Münster
Sight Location: Munster, Germany (See walking tours in Munster)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Munster, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Munster

Create Your Own Walk in Munster

Creating your own self-guided walk in Munster is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Munster's Religious Buildings Tour

Munster's Religious Buildings Tour

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One of the most notable landmarks is the Munster Cathedral. Also known as Saint Paulus Dom, it has retained much of its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Munster Introduction Walking Tour

Munster Introduction Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Munster's Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Munster's Historical Buildings Walking Tour

The centuries-long history of Munster, set in stone, is still very much alive. The carefully restored ancient homes, churches, and other – sometimes peculiar – pieces of architecture, abounding the city, “tell” the tales of its past rather eloquently, all the while setting a stage that makes every visit to Munster an exciting experience.

The reconstruction of the local Old Town,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles