Could a name truly define a place? Here in Muenster, we have Klein-Muffi. The name, translating roughly to “Little Stinky,” might raise an eyebrow. But don’t let it fool you. Klein-Muffi has a story, and like many tales of old, it starts with a canal. The Dortmund-Ems Canal, a feat of engineering, sliced through Muenster in 1892. This massive undertaking needed workers, many workers, drawn from Holland, Italy, and Poland. They settled in the shadow of the newly dug canal, creating a community brimming with life and, yes, a bit of rough charm. This working-class neighborhood saw the rise of eighty houses along the Wolbecker Straße, framing the majestic Herz-Jesu-Kirche. Completed in 1900, its spire pierces the sky, a beacon at 96 meters, the tallest in Muenster. Life in Klein-Muffi wasn’t easy. Poverty and hardship were realities. These conditions, unfortunately, bred a reputation for crime and less than savory activities, resulting in the nickname “Klein-Muffi.” The term “miffeln,” meaning “to smell bad,” became tragically associated with this vibrant community. But Klein-Muffi endured. It became officially part of Muenster in 1903, its residents, many of whom embraced socialist ideals, adding to the city’s diverse fabric. Klein-Muffi’s story is a reminder that every corner of a city holds a story, often unheard but always ready to be discovered.
Lepramuseum
Silent witness. The Lepramuseum stands before us, a solemn reminder of a time when leprosy cast a long shadow over