Munster

Munster is a town in the Lüneburg Heath of northern Germany on the River Örtze. Munster is located in the middle of the triangle of the cities of Hamburg, Bremen and Hanover. All three cities can be reached in less than 1 hour. The town centre is very clean and modern with plenty of opportunities to visit coffee shops and cafes as well as the local market open at weekends.

The town is home to the German Army's largest garrison and is situated between the two training areas of Munster North and Munster South. Munster has been closely associated with the military for over 100 years. However the use of this area as a training ground goes back to 1893. The Munster military training areas, represent nearly 50% of the city's total area, are reserved for military use. Due to the restricted areas, many rare species and habitats can be found in this region. The region's populations of rare species have been previously drawn upon to restore populations in other regions where such species are endangered.

The Bundeswehr's Research Institute for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare Defence is located in Munster. In 1916, the German Empire opened Gasplatz Breloh ("Breloh Gas Facility"), an area dedicated to research in and production of chemical weapons. In 1935, the Third Reich reopened the site as an experimental research and production area for chemical ammunitions under the name Heeresnebelfüllstelle Raubkammer ("Army fog-filling plant, Raubkammer"), "fog" being used as a cover for chemical agents. During World War II, large quantities of sulphur mustard gas and the nerve agent were produced here. At the end of the war, Germany had a continuous production line for GB ready to go online; this plant was dismantled by the British Occupation Forces and later shipped to Porton Down, Great Britain.

The close relationship between the civil and the military circles is symbolized by the bronze statue of Lili Marleen. She and her soldier have been greeting all visitors for more than twenty years from their point of welcome beside the town gate leading to the centre of Munster. Thousands of visitors each year are attracted to the German Tank Museum. In Munster there is a wide range of hotels, holiday apartments and a 4-star camping site. There are several restaurants and guesthouses offering ranges of food. There is plenty of free parking available.

• German Tank Museum, Hans-Krüger-Straße 23, +49 5192-2552. Mar-Nov Tue-Sun and public Monday holidays, 10AM-6PM, last admission at 5PM. Adults €7, ages 6-13 €3.50, under 6 free.
• Ollershof, Kirchgarten 2, +49 51 92 2 810. Ollerhof is a 16th century museum that can be hired for weddings. Entry free, weddings from €100.

German Tank Museum, Hans-Krüger-Straße 23, +49 5192-2552. Mar-Nov Tue-Sun and public Monday holidays, 10AM-6PM, last admission at 5PM. Adults €7, ages 6-13 €3.50, under 6 free.

Ollershof, Kirchgarten 2, +49 51 92 2 810. Ollerhof is a 16th century museum that can be hired for weddings. Entry free, weddings from €100.

• Munster Communications Centre. In the spacious building almost 30,000 media such as books, CDs, games which can be lent at no charge. There is also free, public Internet access.

Munster Communications Centre. In the spacious building almost 30,000 media such as books, CDs, games which can be lent at no charge. There is also free, public Internet access.

• St. Urban's Church, Kirchkarten 12, +49 5192 23 21-1 07 85. Tue, Wed, Fri 10 - 12 hrs Thur. 16 - 18 hrs. A 13th century church.
• St. Stephen's Military Church. The only church allocated to an entirely military parish in Germany and the highest building in Munster.
• St. Martin's sheep pen church. St. Martin's sheep pen church is an old sheep pen that was converted to a church.

St. Urban's Church, Kirchkarten 12, +49 5192 23 21-1 07 85. Tue, Wed, Fri 10 - 12 hrs Thur. 16 - 18 hrs. A 13th century church.

St. Stephen's Military Church. The only church allocated to an entirely military parish in Germany and the highest building in Munster.

St. Martin's sheep pen church. St. Martin's sheep pen church is an old sheep pen that was converted to a church.

• Walking tours and Biking excursions. In Munster, nature lovers and fans of cycling or walking tours can find the perfect countryside with the game enclosure and the "Dethlinger Heide", a vast heather region south-east of the town. For tourists who like walks, take photographs or just relax it is especially worth their while to make their visit in July and August when the heather is usually in bloom.
• Golf Club Munster, Kahlenbissen 50 29633 Munster. this is a delightful 9 hole course with 18 tees allowing you to play 18 holes. The clubhouse offers light refreshments of the imbiss type and has tables and service outside in good weather. The club is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 1130 hours.
• Swimming Pool, Dr.-Hermann-Marcks-Straße 14 (Osterberg Park. Adjacent to the Osterberg park is the indoor and outdoor swimming pools for all kinds of swim fans who can spend their tie according to their taste. There is the deep pool for 25m lane swimming, on a 40m tube waterslide with timekeeping, in a big public leisure pool and fun pool as well as in a separate shallow pool for toddlers www.munster-touristik.de

Walking tours and Biking excursions. In Munster, nature lovers and fans of cycling or walking tours can find the perfect countryside with the game enclosure and the "Dethlinger Heide", a vast heather region south-east of the town. For tourists who like walks, take photographs or just relax it is especially worth their while to make their visit in July and August when the heather is usually in bloom.

Golf Club Munster, Kahlenbissen 50 29633 Munster. this is a delightful 9 hole course with 18 tees allowing you to play 18 holes. The clubhouse offers light refreshments of the imbiss type and has tables and service outside in good weather. The club is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 1130 hours.

Swimming Pool, Dr.-Hermann-Marcks-Straße 14 (Osterberg Park. Adjacent to the Osterberg park is the indoor and outdoor swimming pools for all kinds of swim fans who can spend their tie according to their taste. There is the deep pool for 25m lane swimming, on a 40m tube waterslide with timekeeping, in a big public leisure pool and fun pool as well as in a separate shallow pool for toddlers www.munster-touristik.de

Munster has a full range of shops should any items be required during your visit. There is a market on Saturdays. There is a whole range of cafes and coffee shops so there is no need to be hungry or thirsty.

• Eis Cafe Dal Bo, Wilh.-Bockelmann Straße 5+27, 29633 Munster, +49 5192986440. Daily 0900-2200hrs. original Italian Ice Cream, cakes, milkshakes, sandwiches, crepes and breakfasts from €3. From €3.

Eis Cafe Dal Bo, Wilh.-Bockelmann Straße 5+27, 29633 Munster, +49 5192986440. Daily 0900-2200hrs. original Italian Ice Cream, cakes, milkshakes, sandwiches, crepes and breakfasts from €3. From €3.

• Cafe-Restaurant Zu Wassermuler, Lunerburger Straße 7 29633 Munster, +49 5192-7028. 0900 - 2300. This famous restaurant is in the heart of the town of Munster. It serves coffee and delicious cake during the day. The menu in the evening is quite varied and reasonably priced. Have your meal served in the pan on your table steaming hot. Middle of the road.
• Ella's Restaurant, Wilhelm Bockelmann Str 26 29633 Munster, +49 5192 7190. daily 1130-1400 and 1700-2359. Cocktails and pizza cooked in a traditional stone oven. On Mondays from 1700-2400 large pizza only €6.00.
• Das Cafe, Veestherrnweg 10, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 963965. From 0800 daily. Home cooking in comfortable surroundings and antique furniture. Ideal location to enjoy your German breakfast. Thursday is soup day.
• Da Vito Ristorante & Pizzeria, Sohlstr 21, 29633 Munster, +49 51923588. Mon - Sun 1130-1400 and 1700-2300hrs. Home made pizzas and other Italian specialities. Delivery service available.
• Gasthaus Zum Oertzewinkel, Kreutzen 20, 29633 Munster, +49 50558336. Daily 1200-1400 then 1800-2115hrs. Closed Wednesday.. This restaurant has an assortment of menus capable of catering for 120 persons.
• Landhaus El Rancho, Nordstr 27, 29633 Munster. Tue-Sat 1730-2200hrs, Sunday 1200-1400 and 1730-2200hrs. Closed on Mondays. Argentinian steakhaus.
• Landhotel Heidkrug, Alvern 4, 29633 Munster, +49 51922211. Apr-Oct Sa-Thur from 1000hrs. Nov-Mar Sa-Sun From 1000hrs. Mon-Thur from 1630hrs. Closed Fridays. Seasonal offerings including a club room for 10-70 persons.
• Hotel Deutsches Haus, Friedrich-Heinrich- Platz 1, 29633 Munster, +49 519298900. Steakhaus from 1700hrs. Breakfasts from 0600-1100hrs and warm food from 1100-2300hrs. A hotel with a 3* restaurant with a full menu to cater for all pallets
• Restaurant Zum Oertzetal, Danziger str. 74-76, 29633 Munster, +49 51922351. Tues-Sat 1700-2400hrs, Sun from 1130hrs. A 60 seat restaurant with the ability to host parties up to 350 persons.

Cafe-Restaurant Zu Wassermuler, Lunerburger Straße 7 29633 Munster, +49 5192-7028. 0900 - 2300. This famous restaurant is in the heart of the town of Munster. It serves coffee and delicious cake during the day. The menu in the evening is quite varied and reasonably priced. Have your meal served in the pan on your table steaming hot. Middle of the road.

Ella's Restaurant, Wilhelm Bockelmann Str 26 29633 Munster, +49 5192 7190. daily 1130-1400 and 1700-2359. Cocktails and pizza cooked in a traditional stone oven. On Mondays from 1700-2400 large pizza only €6.00.

Das Cafe, Veestherrnweg 10, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 963965. From 0800 daily. Home cooking in comfortable surroundings and antique furniture. Ideal location to enjoy your German breakfast. Thursday is soup day.

Da Vito Ristorante & Pizzeria, Sohlstr 21, 29633 Munster, +49 51923588. Mon - Sun 1130-1400 and 1700-2300hrs. Home made pizzas and other Italian specialities. Delivery service available.

Gasthaus Zum Oertzewinkel, Kreutzen 20, 29633 Munster, +49 50558336. Daily 1200-1400 then 1800-2115hrs. Closed Wednesday.. This restaurant has an assortment of menus capable of catering for 120 persons.

Landhaus El Rancho, Nordstr 27, 29633 Munster. Tue-Sat 1730-2200hrs, Sunday 1200-1400 and 1730-2200hrs. Closed on Mondays. Argentinian steakhaus.

Landhotel Heidkrug, Alvern 4, 29633 Munster, +49 51922211. Apr-Oct Sa-Thur from 1000hrs. Nov-Mar Sa-Sun From 1000hrs. Mon-Thur from 1630hrs. Closed Fridays. Seasonal offerings including a club room for 10-70 persons.

Hotel Deutsches Haus, Friedrich-Heinrich- Platz 1, 29633 Munster, +49 519298900. Steakhaus from 1700hrs. Breakfasts from 0600-1100hrs and warm food from 1100-2300hrs. A hotel with a 3* restaurant with a full menu to cater for all pallets

Restaurant Zum Oertzetal, Danziger str. 74-76, 29633 Munster, +49 51922351. Tues-Sat 1700-2400hrs, Sun from 1130hrs. A 60 seat restaurant with the ability to host parties up to 350 persons.

• Frankys, Dr Hermann-Marcks Str 12, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 18333. 1000-2200. Visit this premiere sports bar where you can enjoy the local beer. Like most German bars there is always food available.
• Lifestyle Restaurant & Cocktailbar, Wilhelm-Bockelmann Str 5-5, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 986882. mon-Fri 1130-1400 Thu-Sat 1730-2400. This cocktail bar is located in the centre of the town and offers comfort and live music. It does have a menu and offers a Schnitzelbuffet.
• Charly's Pub, Wilhelm-Bockelmann Str 48, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 5385. Sun-Thr 1700-0200, fri-Sat 1700-0400hrs. This pub with 25 types of wiskey on offer is situated in the centre of the town. There is no doubt that you will be served with a range of local biers.

Frankys, Dr Hermann-Marcks Str 12, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 18333. 1000-2200. Visit this premiere sports bar where you can enjoy the local beer. Like most German bars there is always food available.

Lifestyle Restaurant & Cocktailbar, Wilhelm-Bockelmann Str 5-5, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 986882. mon-Fri 1130-1400 Thu-Sat 1730-2400. This cocktail bar is located in the centre of the town and offers comfort and live music. It does have a menu and offers a Schnitzelbuffet.

Charly's Pub, Wilhelm-Bockelmann Str 48, 29633 Munster, +49 5192 5385. Sun-Thr 1700-0200, fri-Sat 1700-0400hrs. This pub with 25 types of wiskey on offer is situated in the centre of the town. There is no doubt that you will be served with a range of local biers.

For internet cafes you will need to travel to some of the larger towns such as Soltau, however a number of the hotels have Wifi availability if you are a resident. Mobile phone coverage is good for the main providers, Vodafone and D1 (Deutcher Telekom)and O2.

• Hannover is the capital of Lower Saxony,hosting many cultural events, annual commercial expositions such as the Hanover Fair and the CeBIT. Every year Hanover hosts the Schützenfest Hannover, the world's largest Marksmen's Fun Fair, and the Oktoberfest Hannover, which is the second largest Oktoberfest in the world.
• Hamburg is Germany's second city and largest port. It is around 40 minutes away on the A7/A1 motorways.
• Bremen is home to the world famous Town Musicians, puts itself on the map as the pulsating, multifaceted heart of North West Germany. A popular hive of heritage, science, high technology and space industry keeps up breathtakingly pacy innovations. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser.
• Celle is lined with half-timbered houses, most of them built in the 16th century. There are a lot of excellent shops in the pedestrian precinct.
• Walsrode Bird Park Located in Walsrode about ½ hour away, is the largest bird park in the world and suitable for all ages.
• Serengeti Park, not far from Walsrode, is the largest safari park in Europe and a must for families.
• Soltau Therme, Thermal baths that offer swimming both in and outdoor, sauna, general wellness including cosmetics, massages and general therapy as well a restaurant.
• Heide Park,Heide Park is a theme park in Soltau, Lower Saxony. With an overall area of over 850,000 m², it is one of the largets amusement parks and the biggest in Northern Germany.
• Timmerdorfer Strand, Timmerdorfer Strand has everything to offer. Sandy beaches, lifestyle, culture, hotels, bars, nightlife and a multitude of events hosted throughout the year.
• Dinosaur Park,130 million years ago, huge herds of dinosaurs roamed the countryside around the Steinhuder Sea. The footprints of these huge creatures can be found right here in the park.

Walsrode Bird Park Located in [[Walsrode]] about ½ hour away, is the largest bird park in the world and suitable for all ages.

Serengeti Park, not far from [[Walsrode]], is the largest safari park in Europe and a must for families.

Soltau Therme, Thermal baths that offer swimming both in and outdoor, sauna, general wellness including cosmetics, massages and general therapy as well a restaurant.

Heide Park,Heide Park is a theme park in Soltau, Lower Saxony. With an overall area of over 850,000 m², it is one of the largets amusement parks and the biggest in Northern Germany.

Timmerdorfer Strand, Timmerdorfer Strand has everything to offer. Sandy beaches, lifestyle, culture, hotels, bars, nightlife and a multitude of events hosted throughout the year.

Dinosaur Park,130 million years ago, huge herds of dinosaurs roamed the countryside around the Steinhuder Sea. The footprints of these huge creatures can be found right here in the park.