Munster

Munster - not exactly the hub of the world but the centre of the Lüneburg Heath!

Munster - that means art: The INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF GLASS SCULPTURE AND GARDENS takes place here at regular intervals. In addition to the fantastic glass sculptures, an attractive accompanying programme of music, illuminations, work exhibitions and, of course, guided tours through the exhibition area are on offer to anyone who is interested. The Rathausgalerie (Town Hall Gallery), the Glasgalerie & Glashütte (Glass Gallery & Glass Factory) on the Oertze River, the Rudolf Artist Studio and many sculptures that are permanent exhibits in public areas complete the artistic programme.

Munster - that means a lot of open green spaces: The leisure area around the Flüggenhofsee offers plenty of space and an opportunity to unwind in the fresh air - on the beach, sun-bathing lawn and in the playground. The gardens and parks in the immediate vicinity of the inner city also invite you to unwind, as does Dethlinger Heide about 6 km away. On weekends, visit the Ilsterstau-Munosee trail in the north of the town, the hiking trails to the Sültinger Mill south of Munster and the Töpfer- [Potter] and Vilmar trail in Lopau.

Munster - that means sport: The people of Munster - the Munsteraner - demonstrate their enthusiasm for sports particularly during the Munsteraner open triathlon. The Munsteraner throng the route to cheer on their local sportsmen and women. Another highlight of the sports calendar is the cycling open event on the military training ground. If you prefer a more sedate sport, you can try out the beautiful nine-hole golf course or crazy golf. In addition, visitors and locals alike may take advantage of the indoor tennis centre, an open-air tennis court, Hollmorring model racecourse, and the sports park at Osterberg, which includes an all-weather swimming pool, for exercise or simply to watch. Horse riders get their money’s worth in Munster’s districts of Alvern and Dethlingen.

Munster - that means music: The Local Culture and Heritage Society organises regular concerts, some of them with top-notch performers such as the Haydn Orchestra from Hamburg, which visits each spring. Fans of modern music will also find something to their taste: concerts by the Bavarian Classic Jazz Band are one example of many. From May to September, the Music in the City events take place, alfresco and for free!

Munster - that means festivals: Be it at the Mill Festival, the Wine Festival, the Potato Festival, or the Spring, Autumn and Nikolaus Markets, the Munsteraner are happy to welcome visitors from near and far.

Munster - that means unwinding: Picturesque accommodation with hosts who are looking forward to welcoming their guests, cycling tracks and hiking trails, the Dethlinger Heide and other leisure opportunities encourage you to leave your daily routines behind.

Munster - that, of course, also means the German Armed Forces: The German Armed Forces offer the civilian population insights into their organisation through the German Tank Museum, which hosts over 110,000 visitors each year, tours of the military training area ‘Looking behind the fence’, and informative training exercises that you can witness live.

Munster - that means tradition and customs: The old village centred on the Ollershof includes a draw well, a Treppenspeicher (secondary farm building used for storage), a piggery and a cart shed, and is accessible 24/7. The local history museum in the main building of the Ollershof is open on the first Sunday of the month during summer. The small farm museum can be visited by arrangement or as part of a guided town tour. Other examples of Munster’s historical buildings are the medieval St. Urbani Church, the water mill and the Schafstallkirche (Sheep Pen Church). Old traditions come alive again on the occasion of the ‘Mill and Bake Day’ in the beginning of September.