Ever wondered what it felt like to step back in time? Handorf offers more than just a glimpse into the past. It is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of history, community, and transformation.
Handorf is a district of Muenster. It lies in Westfalen within the Muenster East administrative district. This area boasts a rich history marked by the medieval Haskenau castle. It sits at the mouth of the Werse River as it flows into the Ems.
Once upon a time, Handorf was known as the village of large coffee pots. This was during the 19th and 20th centuries. Its location on the Werse made it a popular destination. Today, Handorf has transformed. It is now a residential suburb of Muenster. Its green spaces and family homes make it attractive to families.
Sadly, many traditional coffee houses have closed. These include Hugerlandshof and Hubertushof-Kavermann. Also Wildpark Haus Proebsting, Haus Vennemann, and Wersehof. No replacements have appeared.
The village patron of Handorf is St. Petronilla. The Catholic village church bears her name. Since 2008, a Nativity trail starts at the church. It leads to St. Maria Himmelfahrt Church. This is also known as Dyckburg Church. In 2017, 118 Nativity scenes stood near the parish church. 72 more lined the path to Dyckburg.
Handorf also has a Protestant church called Zionskirche. The Heriburg secondary school closed due to low enrollment. However, two municipal primary schools remain. One is Catholic. It is named Kardinal-von-Galen-Schule. The other is interdenominational. It is the Matthias-Claudius-Schule.
Handorf features a sports center. It includes an indoor swimming pool. This is run by the Buergerbad Handorf e. V. association. There is also a gym and several football fields. These were commissioned by the independent Handorf municipality. This occurred shortly before its incorporation into Muenster. The incorporation took effect on January 1, 1975. The indoor swimming pool operated on Heriburgstrasse until 2021. A new building replaced it on Hobbeltstrasse in March 2021.
Dorbaum is part of Handorf. It is characterized by family homes and a barracks. There is also a military training area. This area is popular for recreation. Negotiations for the training area began in the late 1920s. Ten farms and land from 40 others were affected. Families who had lived there for up to 1000 years accepted exchange offers. They received larger plots in Muensterland.
The British handed over the training area to the German army in 2013. It has been closed to the public since 2003. This is due to the risk of unexploded ordnance. Despite this, the training areas are valuable nature reserves. They host one of the largest populations of tree frogs. They also have rare species like the honey buzzard and the garlic toad.
In May 2013, the Ministry of Justice announced plans to build a new prison. This was to be on the site. Local groups, hunters, and the NABU opposed this. They were concerned about the destruction of the natural landscape. On September 12, 2014, Minister of Justice Thomas Kutschaty announced that Handorf would not be the site.
The Lützow Barracks stands on the former Muenster-Handorf airfield. It houses the support battalion of the German-Netherlands Corps. The German Air Force Band Muenster is also stationed there. Adjacent to the military area is the training ground for the Institut der Feuerwehr NRW. This is the largest fire training center in Germany.
In Dorbaum is the Hornheide clinic. It is an interdisciplinary center. It specializes in treating tumors of the skin and head. It also does surgical reconstruction.
Handorf is more than just a place. It is a living story that continues to evolve. It is a blend of tradition and progress. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of its community. As we conclude our visit to Handorf, take a moment to appreciate its unique charm. It is a place where history and modern life intertwine.