Oberösterreichisches Feuerwehrmuseum St. Florian

About the museum

The Upper Austrian Fire Brigade Museum moved into the Baroque Meierhof (farm estate) of St. Florian Abbey in 1984. The massive four-sided farmstead was built between 1676 and 1685 under Provost David Fuhrmann, even before the abbey building itself, and once housed large stables and storage rooms. When agriculture no longer needed the building, it fell into disrepair in the 1960s. An association restored the Meierhof between 1969 and 1979, after which the fire brigade museum was set up here.

The first stage of development opened in 1984, followed by the second in 1985. Further halls were later added as exhibition and storage space, and today they cover around 2,500 square metres. From 2018 the museum was conceptually reoriented and the collection was scientifically inventoried; in 2024 a fully renovated exhibition room for special shows was created. The operator is an association linked to the Upper Austrian State Fire Brigade Association.

The museum shows the development of firefighting from the simple fire bucket through hand and steam pumps to motorised emergency vehicles, along with helmets, uniforms, signalling instruments and gas masks. Separate sections are devoted to the history of the State Fire Brigade Association, the State Fire Brigade School founded in 1927 and the fire brigades of the cities of Linz, Wels and Steyr.

Highlights

• Development of firefighting technology from fire buckets and steam pumps to motor vehicles
• Historic fire engines, including vintage vehicles
• Helmets, uniforms, signalling instruments and breathing apparatus
• Baroque abbey Meierhof as the exhibition building
• Historic wooden fire station in the inner courtyard

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte des Feuerwehrwesens – Firefighting equipment, vehicles, uniforms and gear show the development of firefighting from the bucket chain to motorised vehicles; separate sections are devoted to the association's history and the State Fire Brigade School.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Verein OÖ. Feuerwehrmuseum St. Florian

Director

Dr. Bernadette Kerschbaummayr (operative Geschäftsführung)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for Upper Austrian fire brigade members and their relatives (partners and children).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

On the annual action day "Ferienspaß im Museum" there are hands-on stations, special tours and rides in historic fire engines; children up to 7 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located directly on the A1, exit Asten, at Stiftstraße 2 (Meierhof of St. Florian Abbey).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop available; according to the Verbund Oberösterreichischer Museen, there is also catering in or near the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit