Prinzipalmarkt

The Prinzipalmarkt in Münster is one of the most photogenic old-town streets in northern Germany: a curving row of tall sandstone gabled houses above a continuous arcade, framed by the Gothic tower of St. Lambert's Church. It is also a key site of European history, because the town hall here hosted part of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. If you are wondering what to do in Münster, start right here.

Where it is and how to get there

Münster is a university city in North Rhine-Westphalia, close to the Dutch border. Trains from Cologne take a little under two hours, and there are direct connections from Hamburg and the Ruhr area; regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket. From Münster Hauptbahnhof (main station) it is roughly a 15-minute walk to the Prinzipalmarkt. The small Münster Osnabrück Airport (FMO) lies north of the city, but most international visitors arrive via Düsseldorf or Frankfurt and continue by rail. Münster is famously a bike city, so renting a bicycle is a great way to explore.

A short history

Merchants settled along this street from the 12th century, and the arcades took shape around 1300. During World War II most of the buildings were destroyed; the town hall burned out on October 28, 1944. Between 1947 and 1958 residents rebuilt the street on its medieval plots using traditional materials, which is why it looks old even though much of it is postwar.

What to see

• Historic Town Hall and Hall of Peace (Friedenssaal): On May 15, 1648, Spain and the Dutch Republic exchanged the ratified treaty here, effectively founding the independent Netherlands. The paneled room displays 37 portraits of rulers and envoys and a gilded rooster cup used to welcome diplomats. The building received the European Heritage Label in 2015.
• St. Lambert's Church: Look up at the tower: three iron cages still hang there, where the bodies of the executed Anabaptist leaders were displayed in 1536.
• The tower warden: Since at least 1379 a watchman has served on St. Lambert's tower. Today a female warden blows a horn every half hour from 9 p.m. to midnight, except on Tuesdays.
• The arcades: Perfect for window shopping and coffee, rain or shine.

Tickets and opening hours

The street is free and open at all times. Entry to the Hall of Peace costs €3 for adults and €2 reduced, with children under six free; according to the city it opens Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Mondays and during official receptions (as of October 2026). Check current times at the Münster tourist office inside the town hall.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially as part of a day trip from Cologne or the Ruhr area. Come in the evening, when the gables are lit, or during Advent, when the Christmas market sets up beneath St. Lambert's; in 2026 the city lists November 23 to December 22.

Nearby

Nearby you will find St. Paul's Cathedral on Domplatz, the LWL Museum of Art and Culture, the baroque Münster Palace and the Aasee lake for a stroll.