Münster Cathedral

St.-Paulus-Dom seen from the north, from the Buddenturm

Münster Cathedral (St.-Paulus-Dom) is a cathedral in the German city of Münster. It is the city's main church and one of its most important historical monuments, as well as the centre of the Diocese of Münster since that diocese's foundation in 805. It contains the tomb of Blessed Clemens August Graf von Galen.

Astronomical Clock

Astronomical Clock built 1540-43

Perhaps the most famous feature of the cathedral is its astronomical clock. Unlike modern clocks, the Münster clock is divided into 24 hours, runs counterclockwise, and indicates hours and minutes simultaneously. Since the clock faces south, the hands thus follow the actual course of the sun. The main hand, decorated with a silver sun and a rainbow, indicates the time. Each red and white line within the circle of Roman numerals represents four minutes. Five minor hands indicate the position of the planets Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Saturn and Mercury, while a silver ball (half painted black) represents the moon in its phases

Coordinates: 51°57′47″N 7°37′32″E / 51.96306°N 7.62556°E / 51.96306; 7.62556