The Geneva Arsenal was built in the 14th century and was originally intended to store food supplies, hence its name, the City Ambar. Later, at the time of the Reformation, when the blood of all people, regardless of faith, Catholics and Protestants alike, was spilled, it was used as a storehouse for weapons and barracks.
In the 19th century, the building was restored and handed over to the city authorities, who gave it to the city archive and the Museum of Swiss History. The archive contains important documents directly related to the affairs of the city and its history, while in the museum a large collection of weapons from different times can be found. Five cannons (brought from Genoa and cast at different times) from this collection now stand at the entrance to the Arsenal.
The walls of the Arsenal at the entrance are decorated with three frescoes depicting what residents consider to be the most important events in the history of the city: the arrival of Julius Caesar, the reception of Huguenot refugees from the Reformation and the first trade fair. Fairs are still held here today. During religious festivals, vegetable soup is prepared and served in commemorative bowls right in front of the Arsenal gates, in addition to the traditional fair.
From the 19th century to the present day, the Arsenal is a museum that exhibits many relics of the Swiss state and is the main city archive of Geneva. It is considered one of the city's main attractions, in fact a must-see for tourists. Virtually every sightseeing itinerary includes a stop near it.
