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M?ster

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Alternate uses: See Munster (disambiguation), Minster (cathedral)

M?ster is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. Population: 267,197 (2001), area 302.83 km².

The University of M?ster is third biggest and one of the oldest universities in Germany.

Table of contents
1 History
2 Sights
3 City boroughs
4 External links

History

The name derives from the Latin monasterium (monastery) and refers to the founding of the bishopric of M?ster by Charlemagne (793). In the Middle Ages M?ster was a leading member of the Hanseatic League. In 1534 the Anabaptists took power in M?ster and founded a democratic proto-socialistic state. The town was recaptured in 1535; the Anabaptists were tortured to death, their dead bodies were exhibited in cages, which hung from St. Lamberti's steeple.

The signing of the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 at M?ster and Osnabr?k guaranteed the future of the prince-bishop and the diocese; the area was to be exclusively Roman Catholic.

In 1802 M?ster was conquered by Prussia during the Napoleonic Wars. It became the capital of the Prussian province of Westphalia.

In World War II M?ster was mostly destroyed by Allied air raids, but it was rebuilt after the war in an ancient style.

Sights

City boroughs

External links