Fireman’s Helmet Museum

Remember Grisu the little dragon and his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter? At the Hotel Burgfrieden in Gais, this dream partially comes true. Here, in a 200 sqm exhibition space, you'll find a unique museum dedicated entirely to fire helmets. Visits are possible by appointment.

Hotel owner Franz-Josef Mairhofer has amassed this collection over decades. Today, the Fireman's Helmet Museum (Feuerwehrhelm-Museum), housed in a glass pyramid - a miniature replica of the Louvre in Paris - displays 700 helmets from around the world and different eras.

Inside the display cases, you'll see French metal helmets with plumes alongside helmets made of leather, steel and brass, plastic, and even cardboard. The helmets originate from South Tyrol, other European countries, as well as Cairo, the USA (New York), China, Egypt, Thailand, Guatemala, South Korea, Oceania, and South America. The oldest helmet dates back to the Napoleonic era, while the most well-travelled comes from the Kingdom of Bhutan. Complementing the helmet collection are special sleeve badges, fire axes, officer's sabres, and rare uniforms.

Every two years, collectors from around the globe gather here. How to get there: The Fireman's Helmet Museum is located in an annex of the Hotel Burgfrieden on Valle Aurina state road. Parking is available, and the bus stop is situated directly in front of the roundabout.