J. Bergenthal

Munster is the capital of Westphalia and one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Deutschland. This book is written for the traveler to enjoy its history, culture, and curiosities. Almost a biography of a city, while also serving as a guide.

Photographs of the stories carved in wood around 1500, enclosing document cupboards in the main wall of the Gothic Friedensaal. The panels are interrupted only by the Judge's Seat. [30]

The old capital of Westphalia, Munster will forever be celebrated as the site where the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia was signed. The Treaty ended the Thirty Year War which had engaged all of Europe and destroyed much of it, as Calvinists, Catholics, and Lutherans battled it out under the Bourbon and Hapsburg crowns.

Munster was also the capital of the communal polygamist Anabaptist movement in the 1500s. Interestingly, the confusions of the Anabaptist era ignited creative forces. Painting, sculpture and carving reached an apex. Photo of the life-size Apostles, the "Paradies", carved in the 13th century for the Romanesque and early Gothic Cathedral opening on the Square through three large arches. Hermann tom Ring is still accounted among the greatest masters of painting -- b&w photo of his Annunciation -- fair-haired Mary receiving the angel by raising her tresses is depicted [50]. Mary is curiously surrounded by the comforts enjoyed by the large middle class in the Renaissance period.

Although half the town was destroyed in WWII, the town is built anew. In spite of wars and bombs, Munster is still home to many of the most beautiful universities, monasteries and churches in Europe.

Much of what we know of life in the past is taken from the art which remains. For example, around the calendarium astronomical clock, the 12 paintings depict scenes from the life of the people in this medieval town with inscribed verses. "Laetatur porcos mactando quisque November" {November delights everyone in slaughtering the pigs}.[72]

The role of Churchmen in waging wars is amply documented as well.The Catholic bishop's Lutheran crozier, one Christoph Bernhard von Galen waged continuous war against Holland, and intermittently, for and against France. When accused of treason by the Emperor he beheaded and quartered the guards sent to arrest him. He was the only German prince feared by Louis XIV. This private plutocrat brought the age of absolutism to the free town of Munster.

Centuries later, the town gave refuge to the greater spirits of "Christian humanity and charity" -- Franz von Furstenberg, Sprickmann, Overberg, Hemsterhuis, among others, and led by the remarkable and fabled Amalie von Gallitzin. This Munster group became known as "familia sacra" in the town, reknowned for wisdom, kindness and piety. These were frequent visitors and hosts for others, including French Catholics. Through the Weimarians, and those in the Goethe circles, their influence spread to the Eastern Orhodoxies as well.

I was moved by this observation: "There is a deep significance in old customs". [97] The author recounts how three times during the year a great sword of execution is set up outside the town hall. The drawn sword signifies the time of Send -- Kirmes or the marketfair -- marked in Munster for more than 350 years.

People flock to the Send which was a tribunal. This assurance of a recourse to justice attracted the development of large markets. Indeed, without justice and regulation, no "free market" has ever flourished. The Send sword is the token of jurisdiction over trading. [97]… (més)