MÜNSTER, a town of Prussia, capital of the government of the same name and of the province of Westphalia, is situated on the Aa, a tributary of the Ems, 78 miles N.N.E. of Cologne. It is well but irregularly built, and has an air of great antiquity, the principal streets being lined with arcades, on which the upper storeys of the houses are supported. It was formerly surrounded by fortifications, but these have been destroyed, and their place is occupied by public walks, beautifully shaded with trees. The cathedral, begun in the thirteenth century, is a Gothic building with two transepts and two pyramidal spires. The oldest church in Münster is that of St Leger, built in the twelfth century, but its tower is in the later Gothic style of the fifteenth century. The church of St Lambert, also in the Gothic style, is a very fine building, and on its spire may still be seen the iron cages in which John of Leyden and the other Anabaptist leaders were exposed before their execution. Besides these, the town contains numerous other churches. The town-house of Münster is remarkable for its beautiful Gothic front, and contains in the interior the hall in which the peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648. Here are to be seen portraits of the ambassadors who then met, and also the seats and cushions on which they sat. The castle, which was formerly the residence of the bishops, is now occupied by the commandant. It is a handsome building; and the ground behind it, formerly occupied by the citadel, is now used as a botanical garden belonging to the Academy. Münster was formerly the seat of a university, but this was closed on the foundation of that of Bonn; and all that remains of it now is an academy, containing theological and philosophical faculties, besides a medical school and clinical institute. There are also a deaf-and-dumb
institution, two normal seminaries, a grammar school, art union, school of design, and two scientific institutions. The town has also an orphan asylum, several hospitals, and other charitable institutions. Münster is the see of a bishop, and is the seat of the highest law court in the province of Westphalia. The manufactures consist of woollen, cotton, and linen goods, starch, tobacco, sugar, &c.; and there is a considerable trade in these articles and in Westphalian hams, wine, &c. There is a canal between this town and the Ems; and it is connected by railway with the principal towns in the vicinity. Münster was for a thousand years (802-1803) an independent see, governed by its own archbishops, who were in many instances remarkable for their warlike achievements. The most important event in its history was its occupation in 1535-6 by the Anabaptists under John of Leyden; after which it was recovered by the archbishop, and the ringleaders were executed. Pop. 24,664.
The government of Münster forms the north-western part of the province of Westphalia, and is bounded on the N. by Hanover, E. by the government of Minden, S. by those of Arnsberg and Dusseldorf, and W. by Holland; area 2432 square miles. The surface is generally flat, except a small portion towards the N.E., and it consists partly of cultivated ground and partly of sandy and heathy tracts. Iron and coal are obtained here in considerable abundance; but the soil is in general not very fertile, and the produce not more than enough for domestic use. Flax and hemp are the principal crops raised. The pastures are large and good, and great numbers of live stock are reared in this government. Linen is the chief article of manufacture; but iron, leather, cotton, silks, &c., are also produced. The government is divided into ten circles, and has a population of 421,935.