1530

Beginning of the Reformation movement in Münster.

 

 

1532

Münster is subjected to economic sanctions by the bishop because of the conflict of the confessions.

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1533
Conclusion of the "Dülmener Vertrag" (Dülmen Treaty): the city accepts the bishop as secular authority and the bishop accepts the Reformation innovations in Münster.

 

 

1534 / 1535

The radical Anabaptist movement takes over in Münster. It forces adults to be baptized en masse, and those unwilling to be baptized have to leave the city. There are book burnings and destruction of images that do not correspond to the ideas of the Anabaptists. People are persecuted. In addition, money is abolished and polygamy is introduced. As a reaction, the bishop has the city first besieged, then stormed. In the process, the bishop's troops massacred Münster. The leaders of the Anabaptist movement are publicly tortured and executed in front of the town hall. Their corpses are hung in iron baskets at the Lamberti Church as a reminder and warning.

As a result of Anabaptist rule, Protestant church services are banned in Münster for the time being. The bishop deprives the city of rights such as the free election of councilors, jurisdiction, military sovereignty, legislation and tax collection. Guilds are banned.

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1553

Münster regains its municipal rights and privileges.

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1557 to 1599

Münster's population grows to between 10,000 and 12,000 inhabitants, the city's prosperity also increases. Numerous almshouses, monasteries, and public and private buildings are donated, and the city's fortifications are further strengthened. However, disputes arise between the bishopric and the city about the "correct" denominational faith (Catholic or Protestant).

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1618 – 1648

The Thirty Years' War rages in Europe. In 1628, the last remaining Protestants are expelled from Münster. In 1633 and 1634 the city is besieged by troops. Thanks to the city's fortifications, however, it is not conquered and plundered. Otherwise, Münster and the Münsterland were spared from the war.

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1641

Münster is proposed as a venue for the peace negotiations on the Thirty Years' War. After the approval of the emperor as well as the administration and the citizens, the city becomes neutral for the time of the negotiations.

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From 1643 / 1644

Representatives of the warring powers negotiate in Münster.

 

 

1648

On January 30, the Spanish-Dutch Peace Treaty is signed in Münster. This ends the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Netherlands and declares the Netherlands independent.

On October 24, the peace treaties are signed between the German-Roman Emperor, the Imperial States, the Swedes and the French. This concludes the Peace of Westphalia and ends the Thirty Years' War.

 

 

1654 to 1657

A conflict arises between the city of Münster and Prince-Bishop and sovereign Christoph Bernhard von Galen. The city requested extensive rights from the emperor, including its own minting rights and the right of occupation. These rights are actually sovereign rights, so that Prince-Bishop von Galen's power would be curtailed. On August 20, 1657, he lays siege to Münster with his troops and had the city shelled, which earned him the nickname "Cannon Bishop". The siege ended in October.

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1659-1661

The German emperor rejects Münster's request for the right of occupation. On July 20, 1660, the city is again besieged by troops of the prince-bishop and quickly suffers from financial shortages and food shortages.
On March 26, 1661, the city council hands over the city administration to the prince-bishop. Münster then loses its autonomy and free council elections are abolished – positions are only awarded by the prince-bishop. Later, the rights are partially returned to the city.

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1757

The prince-bishop's master builder Johann Conrad Schlaun completes the Erbdrostenhof. The builder of the courtyard is the hereditary duke Freiherr von Droste-Vischering, one of the four highest-ranking dignitaries in the prince-bishopric.

 

 

1764

It is decided to grind the city fortification of Münster. Along the course of the wall, an avenue of linden trees is created around the city. The promenade, which is completed later, has since surrounded the old town as a green belt. Some old fortification redoubts, such as the Kreuzschanze, are preserved.

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1767-1787

The prince-bishop approves the construction of the prince-bishop's residence castle at the request of the people of Münster. It is built according to plans by Johann Conrad Schlaun, who dies in 1773.

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1773

A state university is founded in Münster, which starts teaching with four faculties.

 

 

1797
Birth of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff at Burg Hülshoff (Hülshoff Castle). In the course of her life, she becomes one of the most important German poets.

 

 

1802 to 1813

Münster is repeatedly occupied and has to change its state affiliation. In 1802 Prussian troops occupy the city, and one year later the prince-bishopric of Münster is dissolved. From 1806 the occupation by French troops of Napoleon follows and Münster becomes part of the French Empire and capital of the department of Lippe. At the end of 1813, Prussian and Russian troops expel the French from the city.
 

 

1815

Münster is awarded to the Kingdom of Prussia at the Congress of Vienna. The city becomes the provincial capital of the newly founded province of Westphalia and at the same time remains the administrative seat of the administrative district of Münster.

 

 

1826 to 1846

Annette von Droste-Hülshoff lives at Haus Rüschhaus, a retirement home built by Johann Conrad Schlaun.

 

 

1848

Opening of the first railroad line from Münster to Hamm.

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1870s

In Münster and throughout Germany, the "Kulturkampf" (culture struggle) between the liberal (in Prussia also Protestant) state and the Catholic Church takes place. Since the population of Münster is almost entirely Catholic, the church has the stronger influence here. Prussian laws such as state instead of clerical school supervision cause uprisings among the city population.
Bishop Johann Bernhard Brinkmann, who does not want to follow the laws, has to flee to the Netherlands to avoid arrest. In 1884, he returns to Münster to the jubilation of the city population.

 

 

1875

The communities of Lamberti, St. Mauritz and Überwasser are incorporated into the city of Münster. As a result, the urban area grows beyond the promenade.
In June, the Zoological Garden opens in Münster, founded by the former priest, high school teacher and professor of zoology Herman Landois. The garden is the first zoo in Westphalia.

 

 

1890

The central train station in Münster is opened.

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1899

​The port of Münster is inaugurated and the Dortmund-Ems Canal is completed. The canal provides a connection to the North Sea.
The Rieselfelder fields are used for the first time as a "sewage treatment plant" for Münster. Instead of being discharged into the Aa River, the city's wastewater is directed into the fields, where it trickles away.