Once upon a time, “Spraclo” whispered secrets of dense undergrowth. This is Sprakel, the northernmost part of Münster. It is also its smallest regarding population.
Sprakel’s story stretches back to 1032. A church document first mentioned it then. The name “Spraclo” or “Sprakonlo” described the landscape. It was a place of thick undergrowth.
Sprakel today covers 22.41 square kilometers. Around 3,653 people call it home. This makes it a cozy residential area. Farms still shape much of Sprakel. This explains its large area.
Until 1974, Sprakel belonged to Sankt Mauritz. In 1975, it became part of Münster. This happened during a regional reorganization.
Sprakel boasts a lively community. Clubs and associations play a big role here. The SC Sprakel 1930 sports club has over 700 members. It is a central part of community life.
Each year, Sprakel hosts a traditional carnival parade. It is the first of Münster’s four parades. The Karnevals-Interessen-Gemeinschaft organizes it. That is KIG Sprakel-Sandrup-Coerde.
Nature lovers find much to enjoy near Sprakel. The Rieselfelder are a European reserve. Many water birds and waders live here. Birdwatchers flock to the area. The Sandruper See lies south of Sprakel.
Farming and tree nurseries shaped Sprakel’s economy. The Münster-Rheine railway was crucial. In 1888, Sprakel got a railway stop. A freight hall followed in 1908. This boosted Sprakel’s economy. People could find jobs beyond farming.
More workers’ houses appeared near Sprakel’s farms. From 1960 to the late 1970s, building increased. This happened mainly west of Sprakeler Straße. A small local center grew there. It included a primary school. It also had a kindergarten. The center of St. Marien parish was also established.
In 2002, a bypass for Bundesstraße 219 opened. This was after almost 40 years of planning. It eased traffic in Sprakel’s center. This made Sprakel a nicer place to live. Plans exist for a new town center. It will include a shopping center. New housing is also planned.
Until 2016, Sprakel was on Bundesstraße 219. The highway ran through the town until 2002. Then, the new bypass opened on July 12, 2002. The bypass is 2.6 kilometers long. It cost 12.2 million euros. It removed traffic and a railway crossing. In 2016, that section of the Bundesstraße became L 587.
Münster’s city center is a short drive from Sprakel. It takes about 15 minutes by car. Sprakel is near Greven as well. The A1 motorway is close to Sprakel. However, Sprakel has no direct access to it.
Sprakel has a train station on the Münster-Rheine line. Regional trains stop here. They run between Rheine and Münster’s main station.
Buses also serve Sprakel. City buses and regional buses connect Sprakel. Bus line 19 links Sprakel to Kinderhaus and Coerde.