Muzeum Pożarnictwa w Alwerni
The oldest fire service museum in Poland, a branch of the Museum of Western Lesser Poland, with historic fire engines in a new building in Alwernia.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Muzeum Pożarnictwa in Alwernia was founded on 4 May 1953 on the initiative of the pharmacist and captain Zbigniew Konrad Gęsikowski. For more than 70 years it was looked after by the volunteer firefighters of the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Alwernia (Ochotnicza Straż Pożarna w Alwerni). In 1999 the institution received the “Sybilla” award from the Minister of Culture for the conservation of a 1926 Mercedes fire engine, and in 2002 the Alwernia town council transformed it into a municipal cultural institution.
In 2020 a letter of intent was signed on the construction of a new seat and the incorporation of the museum into the Museum of Western Lesser Poland in Wygiełzów, which took place in 2023. The new building was erected in 2022–2023 and opened to visitors in May 2024; the investment was co-financed from the Małopolska Regional Operational Programme for 2014–2020.
The collection numbers more than 4000 objects. The most valuable part is the collection of historic fire vehicles, including horse-drawn and motor fire engines from the early 20th century, some of them in working order, regarded as significant on a European scale. The collections also contain medals, decorations, commemorative plaques, photographs, phaleristics and fire-service philately, and documents. The museum runs workshops for kindergartens and schools.
Highlights
- The oldest fire service museum in Poland, founded in 1953
- Historic fire engines, including a 1926 Mercedes
- More than 4000 exhibits: medals, photographs, phaleristics and philately
- New building with a lift and tactile plans
- Educational workshops, including “Safe House” (Bezpieczny dom) with a simulator
Permanent exhibition
- Wystawa stała Małopolskiego Muzeum Pożarnictwa – Historic horse-drawn and motor fire engines, medals, decorations, photographs, phaleristics and fire-service philately, and documents.
- Founded
- 1953
- Operated by
- Muzeum Małopolski Zachodniej w Wygiełzowie
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 30 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 20 złChildren from the age of 4, pupils and students, pensioners and disability pensioners, people with disabilities (the carer enters free of charge), teachers and education staff, holders of the badges “For Care of Monuments” (Za opiekę nad zabytkami) and “Distinguished Culture Activist” (Zasłużony działacz kultury), permanent residents of the Alwernia municipality, and citizens of the EU and EFTA on presentation of a document. |
| Children & teens | 20 złfree up to age 2 · Children under 3 enter free of charge (this does not apply to organised children's groups or participants in museum classes). |
| Visitors with disabilities | 20 złcompanion free · The carer of a person with a disability does not pay for admission. |
| Families | 80 złFamily ticket for parents with school-age children. |
| Guided tour | 50 zł |
| Guided tour for a person with a disability | 25 zł |
| Museum workshops (price per participant) | 30 zł |
| Reduced ticket for workshop participants | 10 zł |
Free admission is granted, among others, to children under 3, museum staff, members of ICOM and ICOMOS and holders of the Karta Polaka (Polish Card). Tickets can also be bought online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: not available
- Audio description: no information
The entrance doors open outwards and have a 2 cm threshold; part of the ticket counter is at a height accessible to wheelchair users. A lift in the corridor behind the ticket office serves levels −1 and 1, and the guide calls the lift from the ticket office and leads visitors through the exhibition. An adapted toilet is in the corridor behind the ticket office. On levels −1, 0 and 1 there are tactile plans, the price list is in Braille, and magnifiers can be borrowed at the ticket office; guided tours must be booked a week in advance. A film about the museum in Polish Sign Language (PJM) is shown at the ticket office, and a PJM interpreter can be booked two weeks in advance. An induction loop is planned for 2027, as are texts in easy-to-read language. Entry with a guide dog is allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 80 zł · Family ticket for parents with school-age children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
A family ticket is available, and workshops are organised for children of preschool and school age, in which participants, among other things, try on firefighter outfits and use a safe-house simulator.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available · 50 m to the entrance
Next to the museum there is a small paved car park, and a larger car park for cars and buses is about 50 m from the entrance.
An escort from the bus stop can be requested with at least two days' notice.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
A conference room (PLN 2000 for 1–5 hours) and a training room (PLN 1000 for 1–5 hours) are available for hire.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum runs year-round workshops lasting 60–90 minutes for groups of up to 25 people (kindergartens and classes I–VIII), for example “How Wojtek Became a Firefighter” (Jak Wojtek został strażakiem), “Safe House” (Bezpieczny dom), “On Siren Call” (Na sygnale) and “Fire Engines, Past and Present” (Wozy strażackie dawniej i dziś). Telephone bookings: +48 453 149 472. |
