Architectural gems of the Middle Ages line the sides of this spacious plaza that serves as Münster’s political and commercial hub.
Overlooked by some of Münster’s most regal and historic buildings, the Prinzipalmarkt is a long and lively pedestrian avenue. Here, you’ll find high-end boutiques and cafés sheltered by elegant colonnades. Meet friends in this central square and explore the sights of the Old Town quarter.
At the southern end of the cobbled avenue stands the Townhouse Tower, with its elegant clock and fun daycare service. Admire the arches and spires of the nearby Historic City Hall’s gothic façade and consider the building’s importance in the 17th-century Peace of Westphalia that ended the Thirty Years’ War and the Eighty Years’ War. The gabled roofs and arcades of the neighboring houses mirror the pyramidal design of the old city hall building.
Notice how the shops retain their historic façades, in keeping with the elegant setting. Stroll north along the avenue and browse the luxury stores. You’ll find an array of jewelry shops, book stores and fashion brands. Pick up bread, rolls and pretzels from a bakery. Relax at a café and get a sense of the local culture as you watch people go by.
On the eastern side of the northern end of the Prinzipalmarkt stands St. Lambert’s Church. Spot the three iron cages hanging from the church’s spire the cages are replicas of those that hung here for nearly five centuries and once contained the mutilated bodies of revolutionaries. Study the tall bell tower that exemplifies the late gothic architecture in the region. Note that much of the square was destroyed in World War II, but was reconstructed from 1947 to 1958 to resemble its prior state.
Find the Prinzipalmarkt in the heart of the Old Town or Altstadt quarter in central Münster. You can access it on foot or travel by bus to a nearby stop.
While you’re in this central area, make sure to see the Domplatz, the Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History and the Kunstmuseum Pablo Picasso.
