Münster (region)
Encyclopedia
Münster is one of the five Regierungsbezirk
e of North Rhine-Westphalia
, Germany
, located in the north of the state, and named after the city of Münster
. It includes the area which in medieval times was known as the Dreingau
.
Regierungsbezirk Münster covers mostly the rural lands of the Münsterland which is famous for its castles, e.g. Castle Nordkirchen and Castle Ahaus. The region offers more the 100 castles, all linked up by the bike path 100 Schlösser Route.
Actually, the simplest way to explore the Münsterland is by bicycle. The mostly flat landscape with its architectural and cultural treasures invites cycling, both ambitious on-road riding (e.g. the Münsterland Giro
race) and relaxed tours on unpaved rural roads, Pättkes (minor paths). Embedded in a 4,500 km long network of cycle paths are not only the most popular topics routes, but also the many small and large delightful tours and round courses through the region. A sophisticated infrastructure for cyclists with Bed & Bike farms, navigation systems, and service-stations makes Münsterland a cycling paradise.
The history of the Regierungsbezirk dates back to 1815, when it was one of the original 25 Regierungsbezirke created as a subdivision of the provinces of Prussia
. The last reorganization of the districts was done in 1975, when the number of districts was reduced from 10 to 5, and the number of district-free cities from six to three.
Regierungsbezirk
In Germany, a Government District, in German: Regierungsbezirk – is a subdivision of certain federal states .They are above the Kreise, Landkreise, and kreisfreie Städte...
e of North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, located in the north of the state, and named after the city of Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent 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. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
. It includes the area which in medieval times was known as the Dreingau
Dreingau
Dreingau is the medieval name of one of five Saxon pagi in what today is the Münsterland in Westphalia. During the Middle Ages documents referred to it as Dreine, Dreni, Drieni, Dragini, Dragieni, Drachina or Treine. The name came into use around the year 800, and is hardly used anymore today...
.
Regierungsbezirk Münster covers mostly the rural lands of the Münsterland which is famous for its castles, e.g. Castle Nordkirchen and Castle Ahaus. The region offers more the 100 castles, all linked up by the bike path 100 Schlösser Route.
Actually, the simplest way to explore the Münsterland is by bicycle. The mostly flat landscape with its architectural and cultural treasures invites cycling, both ambitious on-road riding (e.g. the Münsterland Giro
Münsterland Giro
The Münsterland Giro is a cycling race annually held in Münsterland, Germany. It was first held in 2006 as a 1.2 race of the UCI Europe Tour, becoming a 1.1 race in 2007.- Winners :-External links:*...
race) and relaxed tours on unpaved rural roads, Pättkes (minor paths). Embedded in a 4,500 km long network of cycle paths are not only the most popular topics routes, but also the many small and large delightful tours and round courses through the region. A sophisticated infrastructure for cyclists with Bed & Bike farms, navigation systems, and service-stations makes Münsterland a cycling paradise.
The history of the Regierungsbezirk dates back to 1815, when it was one of the original 25 Regierungsbezirke created as a subdivision of the provinces of Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
. The last reorganization of the districts was done in 1975, when the number of districts was reduced from 10 to 5, and the number of district-free cities from six to three.
| Kreise (districts) |
Kreisfreie Städte (district-free towns) |
|---|---|
|
Bottrop Bottrop is a city in west central Germany, on the Rhine-Herne Canal, in North Rhine-Westphalia. Located in the Ruhr industrial area, Bottrop adjoins Essen, Oberhausen, Gladbeck and Dorsten. The city had been a coal-mining and rail center and contains factories producing coal-tar derivatives,... Gelsenkirchen Gelsenkirchen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the Ruhr area. Its population in 2006 was c. 267,000.... Münster Münster is an independent 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. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland... |
Climate
The climate is mainly maritime, influenced by the gulf stream. Temperatures above 30 °C during the summer are rare. But also in winter time temperatures below zero are rare.Landmarks
- Castle NordkirchenSchloss NordkirchenSchloss Nordkirchen in the Gemeinde Nordkirchen in Kreis Coesfeld, Westphalia, Germany, built in 1703 to 1734, is known as the "Versailles of Westphalia" as it is the largest of the partly moated Wasserschlösser in that region...
- the most important castle, also called "Westphalian Versailles" http://www.muensterland-tourismus.de/MTZen/kultur/Palaces_and_Castles/Nordkirchen.html - Castle Ahaus
- Castle Westerwinkel
- Castle Steinfurt
- Haus Rüschhaus
- Burg Hülshoff - birthplace of Annette von Droste-HülshoffAnnette von Droste-HülshoffAnna Elisabeth von Droste-Hülshoff, known as Annette von Droste-Hülshoff , was a 19th century German author, and one of the most important German poets.-Biography:...