Royal arsenal
This building received its name due to the special status of Lviv. As one of the main cities of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Lviv received additional support from the kings for defense. Therefore, there were several arsenals in the city. Its architecture is dated back mostly to the 16th century. There was also a workshop where weapons were produced and repaired. During its existence, the building experienced many interesting adventures.
In 1704, while the Swedish army was storming the city, an explosion occurred and even a further investigation could not explain how. However, the sculpture of Archangel Michael defeating Satan was the most mysterious. Several times it fell from the tympanum of the pediment because of a strong wind or a damage caused by shelling.
It was eventually agreed to keep the sculpture out of mischief in the historic museum. Today there is an archive of the Lviv region in the arsenal.
Author Ihor Lylo
Translated by A. Kushch
