Landeszeughaus

The Landeszeughaus in Graz was constructed from 1642 to 1647 and served as the primary storage facility for weapons in Styria. The weapons and accessories stored there were utilized to equip the Styrian provincial contingent and provide support to the military border established in the 16th century. This border was established to protect against the Ottoman Empire in what is now Croatia and Hungary.The Landesarsenal is the largest armory in the world, boasting an impressive collection of 32,000 exhibits. Remarkably, it has been largely preserved in its original condition. Today, the house is a significant component of the universal museum Joanneum, drawing in thousands of tourists and history enthusiasts from around the globe annually.

The term “arsenal” was initially mentioned in a document in 1551, referring to the storage rooms where weapons were kept by the countryside. These items were found in the old country house and near the city gates of Graz. The weapons were stored in the spacious attics when the country house was rebuilt in 1565. The growing military threat resulted in a significant increase in weapons production and the construction of the present-day armory between 1642 and 1644, following the designs by Anton Solar. This facility stored and maintained equipment for a total of 16,000 men. However, the Landesarsenal gradually became less significant over time. After its construction, the establishment of a relatively stable border with the Ottoman Empire following the Peace of Karlowitz in 1699 meant that the primary purpose of the arsenal, which was to arm mercenaries on the military border in Croatia/Hungary, was no longer as necessary as before. The armory remained in use, but it was closed in 1749. At that time, the decision was made to sell the entire inventory and transport it to Vienna. This initiative was introduced by Maria Theresia as part of her broader reforms, which included the centralization and reformation of the army in the hereditary lands.

The stands successfully convinced the empress of the armory’s ideal value. As a result, the armory, along with its furnishings, was preserved as a complete ensemble. It is, in fact, the oldest museum in Styria. In 1892, it was incorporated into the Universalmuseum Joanneum.

During the Second World War, the museum was evacuated and all weapons were transported to three remote Styrian castles. The return transport was successfully carried out with the assistance of the British occupying power, and fortunately, no casualties were reported.The Landesarsenal was reopened as early as April 1946.

The largest conversion since the construction of the Arsenal was completed on March 22, 2013. The entrance area underwent a redesign, and as a result, the armory was made accessible to all individuals without any barriers.

The arsenal in Graz currently holds approximately 32,000 exhibits, making it the largest collection of protective weapons in the world. This collection includes around 3,840 suits of armor, helmets, ring armor, and shields. Additionally, there are 2,414 pieces of edged weapons, 5,395 pieces of pole weapons, 3,867 rifles, 4,259 pistols, and various weapon accessories such as 3,449 powder and primer bottles, as well as cartridge quivers.This stock would still have the capacity to equip approximately 5,000 men.The main emphasis is on the armor and weapons used by infantry and cavalry soldiers during the 16th and 17th centuries.However, the collection also includes officers’ weapons that are often exquisitely adorned and originate from workshops in Innsbruck, Augsburg, or Nuremberg.