Altes Zeughaus Wismar

The Altes Zeughaus Wismar is a baroque structure with two stories positioned on Ulmenstraße. Its facade displays nine axes decorated with plaster ornaments, capped by a hipped roof.

The building arose in 1701 following a powder magazine explosion in 1699 that devastated the area. Swedish architect Erik Dahlberg designed it as a weapons arsenal for the Swedish military garrison present at that time.

The name reflects its original purpose as a weapons storage facility, with the Swedish royal coat of arms still displayed above the entrance as a reminder of past rule.

The building now houses a library accessible during regular weekday and weekend hours. The ramp at the entrance was originally designed to accommodate horse-drawn vehicles and remains the main access point.

The interior features a remarkable open hall without load-bearing columns, an unusual design created to allow efficient storage and quick access to military supplies. This spacious layout made moving large quantities of weapons and ammunition much easier in its original use.