Demolition of the old vaults on the northern front of the armoury to build the dome

The conversion of the Berlin Zeughaus (armoury) to a museum and Hall of Fame was carried out at the request of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Architectural works began in 1877 and were completed by January 1881. By far the most significant alterations were made in the upper north wing, where vast sections of the original structure were removed for the creation of a large domed hall, as shown here following major demolition works in August 1878.