Listen closely. The very ground beneath our feet vibrates with the echoes of a remarkable history. We stand before Katarina brandstation a place steeped in tradition and holding a world record.
Katarina brandstation is more than just a fire station. It’s a living testament to Stockholm’s past. It’s the oldest continuously operating fire station in the world. Situated in the heart of Sodermalm it occupies a part of the Sifwertska kasernen. This building was constructed in the 1780s for the brewer Lorentz Sifwert.
After the city of Stockholm acquired the property in 1812 it served various purposes. It housed the Stockholm City Guard and even functioned as a temporary cholera hospital. The police also occupied the building for a time before the fire station finally moved in.
The western part of the Sifwertska kasernen including the old stables facing Tjarhovsgatan became home to Katarina brandstation. It officially opened on July 1 1876. It quickly became one of Stockholm’s two main fire stations.
Imagine the scene in 1895. A major renovation transformed Katarina brandstation. Older structures were demolished to make way for a larger engine house. The station even had its own housing. Five apartments with fourteen rooms and five kitchens were available for firefighters. There were also workshops offices and even a telegraph room.
Initially nine horses powered the fire engines. But by 1914 cars replaced the horses. The stables and engine house were converted into garages. The most recent upgrade happened in the early 1980s.
Today Katarina brandstation retains its historic charm. In the basement you can still see the beautiful arches from the old brewery. The firefighters here are specially trained in RITS. This stands for rescue operations at sea. They handle water rescues fires and environmental emergencies.
The station’s old stables now house the Katarina Brandmuseum. This small museum opened in 1992 and is run by the non-profit organization Reda Hanen. The entire building is recognized by the Stockholm City Museum as being of special historical cultural and environmental value.
On December 8 2022 Katarina brandstation was officially recognized by Guinness World Records. It earned the title of the world’s oldest continuously manned operating fire station. So next time you see a firetruck with numbers in the 130-139 series you’ll know exactly where it comes from. This incredible station has played a crucial role in Stockholm’s history. A truly remarkable feat.