Municipal Arsenal in Wrocław

The Municipal Arsenal in Wrocław, also known as the Wrocław Arsenal or St. Nicholas Arsenal, is a Gothic building located at 9 Cieszyńskiego Street within the Old Town. Its architecture takes the form of a quadrilateral measuring 73 by 55 meters with a courtyard, and it was constructed gradually from the end of the 15th century, with the oldest southern wing built in 1459. The northern wing was completed a year later, and subsequent expansions, including the western wing in 1570 and the eastern wing in the 17th century, contributed to the building's current form. The Arsenal was the first structure of its kind in Poland and in Wrocław, predating similar buildings in Kraków or Warsaw. Initially, it served as a granary but was later converted into a weapons storage facility. Various structures were built within the courtyard, including a forge and a carriage house, although gunpowder was stored in a separate tower. In the 18th century, after being repurposed by Frederick II into military warehouses, the Arsenal acquired a three-wing layout that survived until the tragic bombing of Wrocław in 1945. After the war, the Arsenal became part of the Wrocław City Museum and now houses the Museum of Militaria and the Archaeological Museum. Cultural events are held on the Arsenal grounds, including the "Evenings at the Arsenal" chamber music festival. An interesting fact is the discovery in 1962 of the 12th-century Romanesque tympanum of St. Jaxa, which was believed to be lost, as well as the presence of the Wrocław City Sharpshooters' Brotherhood in the tower.