Prinzipalmarkt, Münster

Name: Prinzipalmarkt
Address: Münster, Germany

#3 among attractions in Münster

Shopping, Top attraction, Gift shop, Market

Gallery (18)

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Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Mbdortmund / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Dietmar Rabich / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / LBM1948 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / LBM1948 / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Günter Seggebäing, Coesfeld / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Günter Seggebäing, Coesfeld / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / GFDL 1.2 / Mbdortmund / URL

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Münster, Germany, Prinzipalmarkt stands as a historical landmark that embodies the city's rich heritage and architectural splendor. This iconic market square is lined with charming gabled houses, inviting shops, and the renowned St. Lambert's Church, creating a picturesque scene straight out of a storybook.

Dating back to the 12th century, Prinzipalmarkt has served as the commercial and political hub of Münster. The area was meticulously reconstructed after World War II, preserving the historical integrity of its medieval structures. Today, visitors can stroll along the cobblestone streets and admire the unique blend of old-world charm and modern-day elegance.

The market is famous for its continuous arcade-fronted buildings, which provide sheltered walkways for pedestrians. These arcades, locally known as "Laubengänge," are a distinctive feature of the Prinzipalmarkt and contribute to the inviting atmosphere of the square. Behind the beautiful facades, one can find an array of upscale boutiques, quaint cafés, and gourmet restaurants, offering an enjoyable shopping and dining experience.

Prinzipalmarkt is not only a feast for the eyes but also a venue for various cultural events and traditional markets throughout the year. The Christmas market, in particular, is a highlight, transforming the square into a winter wonderland filled with festive decorations and seasonal treats.

For history enthusiasts, the Historical City Hall of Münster, located on the Prinzipalmarkt, is a must-visit. It is the site where the Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648, bringing an end to the Thirty Years' War. The hall's ornate Peace Hall (Friedenssaal) is open to the public and offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in European history.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 51°57'44"N, 7°37'41"E

Address

Mitte (Dom)Münster Germany

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Münster

Day trips

Prinzipalmarkt – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Münster Cathedral, Museum für Lackkunst, Zwinger, Theater Münster.

~610 ftNW
13th-century Catholic place of worship
Münster Cathedral, Münster
3 min walk • Münster Cathedral, officially known as St. Paulus Dom, stands as a monumental beacon of faith in the heart of Münster, Germany. This impressive Gothic and Romanesque structure serves not only as a religious center but also as an architectural landmark for the city.
~1760 ftSE
Museum, Art museum
Museum für Lackkunst, Münster
9 min walk • The Museum of Lacquer Art is a museum in Münster, Westphalia devoted to the history of lacquer art.
0.4 miN
City wall
Zwinger, Münster
11 min walk • The Zwinger in the Westphalian city of Münster is part of the old city fortifications from the Early Modern Period. In the Nazi era it was both a gaol and a Gestapo place of execution and was heavily damaged by allied air raids.
~1000 ftN
Concerts and shows, Theater
Theater Münster, Münster
5 min walk • Theater Münster is a municipal theatre in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, for plays and music theatre. When it opened in 1956 it was regarded as the first new theatre building in Germany after World War II. It integrates some ruins of the former theatre and musical school destroyed in the war.
~460 ftW
Square, Market
Domplatz, Münster
3 min walk • The Domplatz in Münster, Westphalia, is the square in front of Münster Cathedral. The square lies to the south of the cathedral. The traces of the 14th century Domburg are still recognisable in the modern Domplatz. The square was the centre of the Domimmunität.
~220 ftS
1300s city hall and gothic landmark
City Hall, Münster
2 min walk • The Historical City Hall of Münster was one of the theatres of the negotiations of the Peace of Westphalia which concluded the Thirty Years' War in Western Europe and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. It was the site of the Peace of Münster of 1648.
~870 ftW
Museum, Specialty museum, Art museum
Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History, Münster
5 min walk • The Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History is an arts and cultural museum in Münster, Germany Besides an extensive collection ranging from spätgotik painting and sculpture to the Cranachs, the museum specializes in paintings from the Der Blaue Reiter and Die Brücke movements, in particular works by August Macke.
~500 ftNW
Museum, Observatories and planetariums
Münster astronomical clock, Münster
3 min walk • The Münster astronomical clock is an astronomical clock in Münster Cathedral in Münster, Germany. The clock, built between 1540 and 1542, is one of the most significant monumental clocks in the German-speaking world.
~1090 ftW
Museum, History museum
Bible Museum Münster, Münster
6 min walk • Bible Museum Münster is a museum located in Münster, Germany, telling the story of the Bible from its handwritten beginnings until today. The main focus lays on the tradition of Greek New Testament as well as the German Bible. The museum forms part of the Institute for New Testament Textual Research at the University of Münster.
~1030 ftSE
Museum
Erbdrostenhof, Münster
5 min walk • The Erbdrostenhof is a three-wing late Baroque palace in Münster, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on Salzstraße.
~1240 ftSE
51°57'39"N • 7°37'59"E
City Museum, Münster
7 min walk • Museum, History museum

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Prinzipalmarkt?

Nearby attractions include City Hall, Münster (2 min walk), Lambertikirche, Münster (2 min walk), Maxi-Turm, Münster (2 min walk), Domplatz, Münster (3 min walk).

How to get to Prinzipalmarkt by public transport?

The nearest stations to Prinzipalmarkt:

Bus

Prinzipalmarkt • Lines: 1, 9, E8 (1 min walk)
Domplatz • Lines: 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2, 22, 4, 9, E8, N80 (2 min walk)

Train

Münster Hauptbahnhof (14 min walk)