Museums

Firefighting Museum of the Olkusz Region

At 8 Floriańska Street in Olkusz, in the seat of the Tourist Information Point a few steps from the market square, operates the Stefan Ząbczyński Firefighting Museum of the Olkusz Region — a small institution with a unique set of firefighting equipment from two centuries.

A museum of one man

The institution has existed since 1978; its creator and long-time curator was Stefan Ząbczyński (1912–2002) — long-standing president of the Olkusz Volunteer Fire Brigade and an Honorary Citizen of Olkusz. Thanks to his passion, the collections grew to include equipment, documents, photographs, banners and medals, as well as a display devoted to the struggle for Polish freedom.

Horse-drawn pumps and an Augustinian bell

Among the exhibits are horse-drawn fire pumps, helmets — including one converted from a German model — axes and uniforms from the 19th and 20th centuries. A particular pride is the working fire truck from 1942, which gives children rides around town during the Juromania festival. The pearl of the collection is a 17th-century alarm bell, formerly used in the church by the Augustinian monastery, plus Marshal Piłsudski's trunk and a document known as a horse's "passport".

Practicalities

The museum is open Monday to Friday 8.00–16.00, admission is PLN 2. Individual visitors may enter during the Tourist Information Point's working hours; groups are asked to call ahead at +48 669 238 914. It is worth combining the visit with a stop at the PTTK Regional Museum on the market square — a few minutes' stroll through the old-town buildings of Olkusz separates the two.