A visit to the museum started in the front vestibule of the Armoury Chamber first. The vast vaulted hall with pillars was decorated with compositions of armour and arms of the XVIth-XVIIth centuries. A monumental white stone staircase led to exposition halls on the second floor. Welcomed by figures of armoured knights with pieces of Russian and West-European weapons the visitors became prepared for percieving the collections of the Armoury Chamber.