I do not get to Münster often these days, but whenever I am there, I feel drawn to its town hall. This is where, in 1648, diplomats signed the Peace of Westphalia. Thirty years of religious war had left parts of Germany devastated. Some regions lost an immense share of their people to war, famine, disease and flight.

Last summer, on a day when temperatures outside climbed into the high thirties, I stepped into the cool interior of that historic place once more.

To read the full article on The Australian website, click here.