Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History, Munster (must see)

The Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History hosts a massive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, handicrafts, prints, and other art objects. Since 2013, it has been officially called the LWL Museum for Art and Culture (LWL-Museum für Kunst und Kultur). It was founded over 100 years ago and has resided in a new building on Cathedral Square, next to St. Paulus Dom, since 2014.

There are over 350,000 pieces of art in the museum's eclectic collection. The artwork dates from a period that spans 1,000 years, from the Middle Ages to the current day. There are thousands of books in the museum library. The museum offers 51 intriguing exhibition halls to explore.

Museum highlights include a medieval collection with panel paintings, sculptures, reliefs, and stained glass. There are works by old masters from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. A coin collection focuses on Roman coins, regional coins, medals, and paper money. One gallery is devoted to the work of German Expressionist painter August Macke. A gigantic collection of printed portraits by Baron Hans-Dietrich von Diepenbroick-Grueter is included.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, this splendid art museum offers special exhibitions, tours, and workshops. There is a museum shop and an upscale restaurant with huge picture windows offering views of the outdoor patio and lively city street.