Nowhere is Muenster’s reputation as the “City of Peace” more celebrated than in this beautiful Gothic building, home to a museum with fascinating artefacts, including a mummified hand.
Rising splendidly over Muenster’s main square, the Historisches Rathaus (Historical Town Hall of Muenster) has born witness to some of the most significant events in European history. Muenster was where the Peace of Muenster was negotiated in the Friedenssaal (Hall of Peace). This event ended the Thirty Years’ War and forced Spain to acknowledge the independence of the Netherlands. Although the building was destroyed during World War II, many of its treasures were spirited away and it was lovingly rebuilt in the 1950s. Visit to be awed by the history of this magnificent landmark.
Enter the building and go directly to the Friedenssaal, which is home to an extensive collection of artwork, documents and decorations that pay homage to the peace that was negotiated here. Pause for a moment before the wall of portraits to see if you can spot the jutting jaws of the Spanish Habsburgs, Philip IV and Ferdinand III, and a young Louis XIV. The elaborate wood carving along the walls is original, from the early Renaissance, and pays testimony to the skill of German woodcraft at the time. Peek outside the windows for a view of the bustle of the Domplatz below.
Explore the rest of the Town Hall for a collection of artifacts which speak to the history of the city. The displays include weapons and armor, including double-handed swords. Find the mummified hand and learn about its role in medieval judicial practices. Cast an eye over the Golden Cockerel, a vessel from which official visitors to the city were once offered a drink.
The Historical Town Hall of Muensteris open every day except Monday, though this schedule does depend on city events. Entrance to the collection is available for a small fee. The hall is located on the Domplatz, the main square of the city, which is a public transportation hub. Nearby there’s metered parking in a lot and numerous places to leave bicycles.
