Could ghosts of conflicts past linger near the Landwehr des Kirchspiels St. Mauritz? This landwehr, a relic of Münster’s history, whispers tales of bygone eras. The Landwehr des Kirchspiels St. Mauritz wasn’t a physical structure like a wall or a moat. It was more of a district, tied to the old parish of St. Mauritz. Originally, “Landwehr” referred to a defensive force or militia. Over time, the term also applied to the areas they protected. The Landwehr des Kirchspiels St. Mauritz encompassed several smaller communities or “Bauerschaften.” These included Coerde, Gelmer, Gittrup, Kemper, Laer, and Werse. These communities fell under the jurisdiction of the St. Mauritz Church, the heart of the Kirchspiel. Imagine the landwehr not as a fortress, but as a patchwork of fields, farmsteads, and the daily lives of the people within its boundaries. This area, east and northeast of Münster’s city walls, was gradually absorbed into the growing city, starting in 1875. The first annexation included the St. Mauritz Church itself, the old Mauritz cemetery, and a prison. By 1975, the entire Landwehr des Kirchspiels St. Mauritz had become part of Münster. Although the landwehr no longer exists as a separate entity, its name echoes the area’s historical roots. The Landwehr des Kirchspiels St. Mauritz tells a story not of sieges and battles, but of evolving communities and changing times. It reminds us that even within a modern city, layers of history lie hidden beneath the surface.
Lepramuseum
Silent witness. The Lepramuseum stands before us, a solemn reminder of a time when leprosy cast a long shadow over