Almost opposite to the Powder Tower is another arsenal named Royal (Korolevshy Arsenal) to distinguish it from the Town Arsenal. Royal Arsenal is located on the podvalnaya 13 st.
From 1939 till nowadays it houses the Regional Historical Archives.Royal Arsenal was built in 1630 by directive of Wladyslaw IV Waza – it was used as an arsenal for the weapons. Royal Arsenal was built by the Commandant of the Lvov fortress, Pavel Grodzitsky, a military engineer and architect. Royal Arsenal is probably one of the most charming relics of ancient Lvov architecture.
The very purpose of the edifice demanded clarity, simplicity and austerity of style and ruled out all attempts at ostentatious magnificence and exuberance. Nevertheless the building is utterly free of the gloominess inherent in fortified constructions and gladdens the eye with lightness and elegance. The central, or Southern facade begins with a simple arched portal, topped by two stone cannons symbolizing the purpose of the building. Although their muzzles are raised there is nothing formidable about them. The entire second floor has been constructed as an arcade balcony with three bays. The arcade is supported by slender Tuscan-style semi-columns. The third floor is typical baroque with a triangular pediment, a balcony framed by two vases and embellished with volutes and scrolls.
The arsenal is a long building with two wings enclosing a small open courtyard fenced off from the street by a railing. The yard faces the long eastern facade consisting of several projections ending at the ground floor with a terrace. The original baroque portal makes a decided impression with its’ bold and ingenious construction, though a bit over-worked. Hardly a visitor will be unmoved by this remarkable corner of ancient Lvov with its captivating charm.
[...] of the Assumption (Uspenskaya Tserkov) ensemble a few steps from the Arsenal, which is a masterpiece of 16th century Ukrainian architecture and one of Lvov’s earliest and [...]