Built in 1602-05, the Great Arsenal aka Great Armoury is the finest example of Dutch Mannerist architecture in Gdańsk, inspired by Vleeshal, the meat-hall in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
Since its erection, the Arsenal served as a weapon magazine. The architect, probably Anthony van Obbergen, designed a richly decorated, red brick-and-sandstone facade, with gold ornaments.
It is now home to shops on the first floor and the Academy of Fine Arts on the upper ones.