The Prinzipalmarkt forms the historic centre of Münster and developed in the 12th century as a bourgeois market street on the edge of the cathedral grounds. A closed street block probably existed around 1280, and at the turn of the 14th century, the characteristic arcade was built, which still characterises the street today. The plot structure and number of houses have remained virtually unchanged since around 1500, while the name ‘Prinzipalmarkt’ only came into use in the early 17th century. We have already published the northern part of the Prinzipalmarkt, which adjoins the panorama on the right, as a Streetline.
The southern section of the west side, between Michaelisplatz and the transition to Rothenburg, shows the typical image of gabled merchant houses with their sandstone façades and arcades. After being destroyed in the Second World War, the buildings were rebuilt on their historic plots between 1947 and 1958 – in many cases simplified, but using original materials and design elements. Thus, the Prinzipalmarkt has retained its cohesive character as an urban ensemble to this day and remains one of the most impressive examples of historic urban design in Westphalia.
Architectural details Rothenburg/Prinzipalmarkt
Our street begins on the left with the two buildings at Rothenburg 53/54, a double facade commercial building whose façade was designed around 1910, at the entrance to Rothenburg Street, which continues to the left here. To the right are the commercial buildings at Prinzipalmarkt 20-27, continuing to Michaelisplatz and the entrance to Domplatz. These date back to the 16th-19th centuries, often with façades from the early 20th century and modifications made in the post-war years. House No. 23, for example, bears the inscriptions ‘renovated in 1925’ and ‘The best for the youth’. House No. 25 bears a detailed inscription on the history of ownership and renovation and the symbol of the all-seeing eye (pyramid + eye) in the gable. The corner house on Michaelisplatz refers in its gable to the construction and renovation dates 1605 and 1957 and is designed in a more modern style.
This streetline can be extended with our archive material along Rothenburg Street on the left to Geisbergweg and the Töddenhoek restaurant. On the right, it is possible to connect to our panorama of the further course of Prinzipalmarkt.
