Rüstkammern (Armouries) and the "Heldenrüstkammer" (''Heroes' Armoury'') of Archduke Ferdinand II Habsburg, of Further Austria and Tyrol, in Ambras Castle above Innsbruck, Austria.

The core of Ferdinand’s collection was the Heldenrüstkammer (Heroes’ Armoury).

He treasured the original armours that had been owned by famous people of his time and previous centuries. In doing so, he wanted to commemorate their extraordinary deeds, especially of generals, and to emphasize the leading historical role of the Habsburg dynasty.

He managed to get more than 120 original harnesses, mainly from military commanders. Eight of the original armours, on display today, still bear witness to history, in the initial 16th century tall wooden cabinets.

His "Rüstkammern" (Armouries) contain very rare examples of arms and armour from the 15th century which originally came from the collections of Emperor Maximilian I and Archduke Sigismund. Armour for tournaments like the German joust or the German course.

And the armour of the court's giant Bartlmä Bon, who took part in the tournament in Vienna in 1560, can be seen. The "Leibrüstkammer" (Court Armoury) includes the archduke's private armour and the armour of the court of Innsbruck.

Ferdinand's collection of armour was one of the most important of its kind, not only because of the collection idea, but also because of the quality and quantity of his objects. Thus, the Archduke realised the very first systematic presentation of objects in museum history.

Today, selected objects still illustrate the museum idea in Innsbruck at Ambras Castle, whereas many of the armour is exhibited at the Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer (Imperial Armoury) of the Kusthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

I will add to this thread later on.