Gymnasium Paulinum


Gymnasium Paulinum is a Gymnasium school in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was founded in around 797 and is claimed to be the oldest school in Germany.

Early history

Gymnasium Paulinum was established by Ludger the missionary in 797. He had been instructed by Charlemagne in 793 to preach Christianity in north-western Saxony, and subsequently established a monastery in the centre of the former Frankish stronghold of Mimigernaford, which was later to be known as Münster. He also established a monastic school for future members of the clergy. In 805, when Ludger was appointed Bishop of Münster, the school became a cathedral school. The new "Schola Paulina" was dedicated to St. Paul.

Latest developments

On October 9th, 2007 the Gymnasium Paulinum was awarded the title "School of Europe" as one of the first of 15 schools in the province of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Notable alumni