Court ruling - Procession route thwarts the state's road expansion plans
Due to a recent court ruling, a historical processional way in Münsterland currently blocks the road construction plans of the state. In the dispute between the District Administration Münster and the Landesbetrieb Straßenbau NRW over a approximately one kilometer long section leading to the Marienkapelle in Telgte, the Administrative Court decided in favor of the preservationists on Monday, as the judges of the lower court had already done.
Regarding the section built in the 17th century with its two double image stones, the judges determined that it is a valuable monument with special historical significance. The District Administration had registered this section as a monument in the monument list of the city Telgte.
However, the Landesbehörde für Straßenbau (State Road Authority) objected because the land is needed for the planned four-lane expansion of the B51 between Münster and Telgte. Whether the plans are now abandoned due to the decision remains open.
Court: Unused processional way has special historical significance
Initially, the court's decision only establishes that the processional way with its linden alleys is particularly worthy of protection as a monument. Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen wanted to promote religious life in his diocese and revive popular piety after the Thirty Years' War with the chapel and processional way.
Furthermore, the processional way documents the historical development of the city Telgte into an important pilgrimage site in Westphalia. The fact that it has not been used for decades - also due to the heavily trafficked road running nearby - does not call into question its historical significance, according to the judges. The judgment is not yet legally binding.
- The court ruling in North Rhine-Westphalia has impacted traffic plans in Münsterland, specifically affecting the road construction near the Marienkapelle in Telgte.
- The historic processional way, featuring linden alleys and double image stones from the 17th century, is considered a valuable monument with unique historical significance in the Church of Minster.
- Despite the State Road Authority's objections to change the land due to the planned expansion of the B51, the Administrative Court ruled in favor of preserving this monument in Münстерland's municipalities.
- The court's decision highlights the processional way's special status as a monument, which dates back to Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen's initiative in reviving religious life post-Thirty Years' War.
- The abandoned and rarely-used processional way in Telgte continues to hold historical significance, according to the court, regardless of the heavy traffic nearby, which adds to its unique charm and educational value for future generations.
