As early as the 14th century a collection of arms and armour was first mentioned to the counts of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. In the mid-16th century an armoury was located in the entrance area of Schwarzburg Castle, which served as an arsenal for the Schwarzburgian military. Since the 18th century, the stock developed as a princely collection on display with nearly 4,000 objects. Despite several losses referring to World War II, the collection today is the largest and oldest in Central Germany. The reconstruction of the armoury in Schwarzburg by the Foundation of Thuringian Castles and Gardens, which began in 2009, made it possible for the collection to return to Schwarzburg in 2018. The exhibition of parts of the weapons collection, which had been on display at Heidecksburg Palace in Rudolstadt since 1962, closed on January 1st, 2013.
With the reopening of the Schwarzburg Armoury in May 2018, the weapons collection that had been kept at Heidecksburg Palace in Rudolstadt for decades returned to its historic location. It is the only place in Germany, where a collection that has grown over 500 years can be viewed in its own free-standing building with 550 square meters of exhibition space.
Visit the Princely World of Experience Schwarzburg Palace!