The Museum of Phillumeny in Bystrzyca Kłodzka is a genuine curiosity on Poland's map — the only institution of its kind in the country, entirely dedicated to fire, matches, and lighters. If you're looking for an unusual stop on a rainy day in the Kłodzko Valley, this place delivers.

The museum occupies a historic building — a former Protestant church and parish school by the Small Market Square, built in 1821–1822 to a design approved by Karl Schinkel himself. The atmosphere inside, with old walls, creaking floors and thousands of tiny exhibits, transports visitors into a completely different world from the mountain trails outside. It makes a great stop while exploring Bystrzyca Kłodzka, especially when the weather isn't ideal for hiking in the nearby Bystrzyckie Mountains or Krowiarki range.

How to get there

• The museum sits in the centre of Bystrzyca Kłodzka, by the Small Market Square — a few minutes' walk from the main square, flat and easily accessible
• Bystrzyca Kłodzka is also a convenient base for hikes into the Bystrzyckie Mountains and Orlické Mountains, so pairing the museum visit with an outdoor trip is a good idea

Practical information

• The collection includes around half a million matchbox labels and 1,400 lighters from around the world
• Permanent exhibitions: History of Fire-Making, Match Labels and Packaging from Around the World, World of Lighters, and a regional section on the history of Bystrzyca Kłodzka
• The museum publishes its own annuals: Zeszyty Muzeum Filumenistycznego and Osobliwości Ziemi Kłodzkiej

Fun fact: the building was adapted for exhibition purposes in the early 1960s through volunteer community work by employees of local factories, including the Bystrzyca Match Factory — the town's history and the museum's story are deeply intertwined.