Münster is a multi-faceted city. It is a city of science and learning, the City of Westphalian Peace, the capital city of bicycles and Germany’s Climate Protection Capital. Westphalia’s longstanding regional capital is a young city, not least thanks to its 50,000 students. It is an outstanding place to live, work, learn and research. It is a place where urban culture, municipal diversity and first-class rural recreation intersect and have a mutually enhancing effect.
Münster is a green city. Almost 65 per cent of the city area is used for agricultural and forestry purposes.
The Peace of Westphalia treaties were signed and sealed in Münster and Osnabrück on 24th October 1648. They ended a battle for political and religious supremacy in Central Europe, which had lasted for thirty years and resulted in unimaginable suffering, particularly for the German population. The Peace of Westphalia imposed international law. It was the first time in European history that a war had been ended via diplomatic channels at the negotiation table, as opposed to military actions on the battlefield.
The Old Town, which was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, was the subject of an extensive historical reconstruction after 1945.
Münster is authorised to call itself "The World's Most Liveable City". In 2004, Münster was the first German city to take first place at the International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom-Awards) in the category of cities with 200,000 – 750,000 inhabitants.
Münster without bicycles? Unthinkable! Over 100,000 citizens use the “Leeze“ - the translation of the word "bicycle" in Münster dialect - on a daily basis in order to get to work, school, sport or lectures or to discover the city. Münster is home to an estimated 500,000 bicycles. This means that, from a statistical perspective, each inhabitant owns almost two bicycles.
There are many ways to reach Münster - by air, rail and road, to name but a few. Münster also enjoys an efficient infrastructure. The bicycle is the most frequently used and quickest means of urban transport. The bus route network is well-connected, and all city districts have good transport links.