Fire Brigade Museum in Alwernia

The Fire Brigade Museum in Alwernia was founded on 4 May 1953 and, according to the description on Wikipedia, is the oldest fire brigade museum open to visitors in Poland. It is at Krzysztofa Korycińskiego 10 in Alwernia, in Chrzanów County.

Where the museum came from

The opening date was chosen deliberately: 4 May is the feast day of St Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. The originator was Captain Zbigniew Konrad Gęsikowski. He collected most of the exhibits as gifts from fire brigade units from all over Lesser Poland (Małopolska), and often also from other regions of the country and from abroad. Since its foundation several hundred technical exhibits, posters, bills and calendars have been gathered.

What to see

The most valuable collections include horse-drawn engines from 1910, 1912 and 1913, and vehicles: a Mercedes from 1926 and a Polski Fiat from 1936. There are also hand pumps and engines, motor pumps, small axes, helmets and banners.

In the display cases are collections of matchbox labels and stamps, collections of medals, decorations and badges, and photographs. A separate part of the exhibition concerns the history of Alwernia, the Bernardine monastery and the surrounding villages.

Practical information

• Address: Krzysztofa Korycińskiego 10, Alwernia.
• The museum is run by the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Alwernia.
• Opening hours and visiting rules could not be confirmed in the sources; check them with the manager before your visit.
• Nearby: Tenczyn Castle in Rudno and Lipowiec Castle in Babice.