Tucked away in the quiet village of Bóbrka near Krosno, this extraordinary place holds a record that most visitors find genuinely surprising: it is the world's oldest operating oil mine, founded in 1854. The Ignacy Łukasiewicz Museum of Oil and Gas Industry is not a reconstructed relic — it is a living, working site where oil is still extracted, just as it was over 170 years ago. Few places in Europe can match this combination of industrial heritage and authentic atmosphere.

Wandering around the open-air museum feels like stepping back into 19th-century Subcarpathia. Wooden structures, vintage drilling rigs and nodding pump jacks are scattered among the trees, creating a setting that feels organic rather than staged. The site is pleasant in every season — lush and green in summer, wonderfully atmospheric in autumn. It appeals equally to history enthusiasts, families with children, and anyone drawn to places that feel genuinely off the beaten track.

• Bóbrka is located approximately 10 km from Krosno — the easiest option is to drive; parking is available at the museum.
• Local bus connections from Krosno towards Chorkówka or Zręcin also serve the area.

• The museum is situated in Bóbrka, Chorkówka commune, Krosno county.
• Highlights include the hand-dug 'Franek' and 'Janina' shafts (c. 1860), a wooden smithy from 1856, a mechanical workshop from 1864, and the 'Dom Łukasiewicza' building housing a collection of oil lamps and geological exhibits.
• The Janina shaft is still in active use today.
• In 2018, the site was inscribed on Poland's list of historical monuments.

At the centre of the grounds stands a stone obelisk erected by Ignacy Łukasiewicz himself in 1872 — a modest but moving tribute from the man who lit the world's first kerosene lamp and helped spark a global industry.