Feuerwehrmuseum DEPOT61

About the museum

The Feuerwehrmuseum DEPOT61 on Burgstrasse shows the more than 200-year history of the St. Gallen fire brigade. Behind the building stands the Nostalgieverein Feuerwehr St. Gallen (NFSG; St. Gallen Fire Brigade Nostalgia Association), founded on March 17, 2000, to preserve the older vehicles and equipment of the municipal fire brigade for the public. The association restored and maintained the retired pieces and collected them over the years; the museum opened in 2018.

The exhibition starts from the devastating city fires of 1215, 1314 and 1418 and describes how firefighting has developed up to the present. On display are equipment from the two-man hand pump to the large horse-drawn pump, 34 hand extinguishers, breathing apparatus since about 1890, uniforms since 1859, lanterns and searchlights, as well as helmets, alarm horns and a fire seeker from 1750. A foghorn that once stood on the tower of St. Laurenzenkirche may be sounded by visitors themselves.

The centerpiece of the vehicle collection is the Saurer motor fire engine “Helene” from 1909; in addition there are horse-drawn hand-pumped fire engines, Saurer trucks with a tank or aerial ladder, and a BMW fire motorcycle. The exhibits come mainly from the St. Gallen city fire brigade and are cared for by volunteers.

Highlights

• Saurer motor fire engine “Helene” from 1909 as the centerpiece of the collection
• Horse-drawn hand-pumped fire engines and horse-drawn pumps
• Breathing apparatus since about 1890, uniforms since 1859 and a fire seeker from 1750
• Foghorn to sound yourself
• Guided tours by active and former firefighters

Permanent exhibitions

• 200 Jahre Feuerwehrgeschichte St. Gallen – Chronological tour from the city fires of 1215, 1314 and 1418 to today’s fire brigade, with a foghorn to try out and a fire-fighting scene from 1880 with two-man pump and horse-drawn pump.
• Fahrzeuge und Spritzen – Horse-drawn hand pumps, the motor fire engine “Helene” from 1909, Saurer trucks, a BMW fire motorcycle and motor pumps with drives from Tatra, VW and Porsche.
• Ausrüstung: Atemschutz, Uniformen, Beleuchtung und Trouvaillen – Breathing apparatus from the smoke helmet with bellows around 1890 to the oxygen device, uniforms since 1859, 34 hand extinguishers, lanterns and searchlights, as well as helmets, alarm devices and a fire seeker from 1750.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Nostalgieverein Feuerwehr St. Gallen (NFSG)

Director

Sigi Schmuckli

Admission & discounts

Members of the Nostalgieverein Feuerwehr St. Gallen enter free of charge. The museum takes part in the St. Gallen Museum Night.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the website, the event hall in the building is wheelchair-accessible and a passenger lift is available; information on the museum tour itself is missing.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children up to 16 enter free of charge; the foghorn may be sounded by children themselves, and the display cases hold fire brigade toys from different eras. For school classes, guided tours include a bucket-pump competition.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Museum bistro, used mainly for group aperitifs and events in the adjoining event hall.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 140 guests.

The event hall (130 square meters, small stage, parquet floor) can be rented for seminars, meetings, small concerts and celebrations, with an adjoining bistro for drinks service and catering; 140 seats in concert seating, 110 in festive seating, 80 for a banquet. Own catering is possible.

Plan your visit