Foundation of the Ignacy Łukasiewicz Oil and Gas Industry Museum in Bóbrka

The primary mission of the Foundation is to preserve and develop the Ignacy Łukasiewicz Oil and Gas Industry Museum in Bóbrka.

This involves the conservation of technical objects, equipment, and historically significant items related to the oil industry. Additionally, the Foundation is committed to systematically expanding and upgrading the museum’s exhibitions. It plays a key role in promoting both the museum and knowledge about the history of the oil and gas industry. Cultural heritage is a focal point, with the Foundation supporting events and providing protection for monuments associated with the oil, gas, and refining industry.

The museum in Bóbrka operates on the site of the world’s oldest continuously operating oil production facility, established in 1854 by Ignacy Łukasiewicz, Karol Klobassa, and Tytus Trzecieski. The museum’s collection encompasses authentic buildings, machinery, equipment, tools, and documents pertaining to the Polish oil industry. Many items in the collection bear traces of the pioneering activities of the first oilmen.

The most valuable exhibits include the one-of-a-kind hand-dug oil wells “Franek” and “Janina”, dating back to 1860 and 1878, both still actively producing oil. The museum showcases numerous objects that reflect the engineering genius of the first oil extraction engineers. These unique inventions serve as testimonies to the evolution of technical thought.

The oil extraction facility in Bóbrka has truly become an unparalleled destination. Since 2018, it holds the title of Monument of History, an honour reserved for the most valuable and significant sites in the nation’s cultural heritage. The significance of Bóbrka extends beyond national borders. Given its exceptional history, efforts are currently in progress to include the Bóbrka oil extraction facility on the UNESCO World Heritage List.