This Saturday, 26 September, Budapest’s Firefighting Museum is holding an open day so that everyone can jump aboard a fire engine and learn about the history of this heroic rescue service. For the rest of the year, visitors need only make an appointment to see this little-known open-air attraction near the centre of Újpest. Admission is free!
With its entrance an actual fire engine you have to walk through, the Firefighting Museum forms part of Újpest fire station north of the centre of District IV. The facility owes its existence to the energetic commander of firefighters in Újpest, Ferenc Béres.
Alongside the fire station was a large disused area Beres was pondering how to make best use of. As there was already an exhibition of firefighting history inside the building, this gave him the idea to expand it outdoors, into a large, family-friendly attraction that existed nowhere else in Hungary.
To start, they collected a number of vehicles, whittling the final selection for display to eight. Not all are red – one is grey-green as it functioned as a corporate fire engine, while one from the 1940s is right-hand drive, before Hungary switched over.
The others are from different eras. The oldest piece is a steam syringe made in 1910 at the Budapest Pump and Machine Factory, which, moreover, is still in working order.
The design of the open-air museum is a testament to Béres’ great care and attention.
The entrance as mentioned, the spacious layout, the direction of travel marked with hydrants and hoses, and the information boards about important events in firefighting history all add to the appeal, but the most important elements remain the vehicles themselves. We can all become a firefighter as we climb on board and sit in any of the vehicles. Kids will definitely love it and probably grown-ups too.
Admission is free, on both open day and whenever you call to arrange a visit. Guided tours are in Hungarian but that doesn’t stop any non-Magyar speaker enjoying the thrill of seeing these fire-red vehicles.
Firefighter Museum
District IV. Szent László tér
Bus 220 from M3 Újpest-központ to Szent László tér
Open: by appointment only (+36 70 334 8135)
Open Day: Saturday 26 September, 10am-4pm
