Ludgeriplatz (Ludgeri Square), Munster

Ludgeri Square (Ludgeriplatz) is a distinctive urban square located on the southern edge of the historic city centre, anchoring one of the city’s busiest traffic hubs. It is framed by a large two-lane roundabout-known to locals as the ''Ludgeri Roundabout'' (Ludgerikreisel)-where six major thoroughfares converge. The square is named in honour of Saint Ludger (Liudger), the Frisian missionary and first bishop of Munster, widely regarded as the city’s founder.

What stands out here are two elegant bronze sculptures-Servant with Horse (Knecht mit Pferd)and Maid with Bull (Magd mit Stier)-installed by Swiss artist Rémy Zaugg during the 1987 Sculpture Projects Munster. These works, originally dating back to about 1912, once greeted rural visitors entering the city and now serve as evocative public art in a modern urban context. The surrounding area is lively yet transitional, connecting the more modern public buildings-such as Stadthaus 2 and the University of Music (Musikhochschule)-with the historic core, including Ludgeristrasse shopping street and Saint Ludgeri church.

Despite being a major traffic junction, Ludgeri Square retains a human scale through its perimeter design and art installations. The city has invested in improved signage, pedestrian crossings, and traffic controls to enhance safety at what has historically been one of Munster’s accident-prone zones, particularly for cyclists. For visitors on foot, crossing is facilitated by marked zebra crossings, and the nearby promenade provides a calmer, scenic route into the city centre.

For tourists, Ludgeri Square offers both functionality and flair: a transportation hub, a starting point for exploring Munster’s architectural heart, and a chosen site for public art. It links seamlessly to Ludgeristrasse’s vibrant shopping district, the nearby Gothic Saint Ludgeri church with its medieval charm, and the rest of the Old Town.