From banqueting hall to armoury
The original structure of what is now the New Armoury was built in 1631 as St John’s Hall. It was located above the gate approach, a tunnel-like passage known as the Dunkle Appareille, and was originally used as a banqueting hall. Out of concern that fire or enemy bombardment might cause the hall to collapse, it was decided in 1790 to replace the original timber structure with a ‘bomb-proof’ stone vault.
However, it was not cannon fire that ultimately destroyed the hall. In 1806, a fire broke out which spread from the neighbouring commandant’s residence and severely damaged the building’s roof. Following its reconstruction in 1816, it was decided not to return it to use as a banqueting hall. From then on, it served as a storage facility for weapons and other military equipment, which is why it came to be known as the New Armoury.