If, like us, you’re huge fans of the fiery gem you will want to make a trip to the Museum of Amber. Located in Gdańsk, which is recognised as the capital of Amber, you’ll find everything there is to know about the mesmerising gem that has caused mystique for centuries. It will be on the top of your list whilst spending time in the Polish city. The state-of-the-art multimedia exhibition is not one to miss.
Expect To See
You won’t be disappointed! Really get to know how Amber is formed with lumps of resin (with the biggest weighing over 8KG) along with its inclusions on display for you all to see. Of course, there will be finished products also such as beautiful collections of jewellery, expertly crafted cutlery and exquisite chests. You will be surprised what you will find at the museum with intricate pieces of Amber furniture, a 17th century chess board originally made in Gdansk (that can actually be played) and even a guitar is on display there. All these precious pieces have been carefully collected and brought together all under one roof. It’s remarkable what the captivating gem can be carved into and the spectrum of colours on display.
Travel back in time to find out the beautiful gems origins, how it is extracted and the journey that it has been on through the years. It explores the importance of Amber and its part to play in history, especially the Baltic region. The tiny creatures and plant debris that is frozen in time is one of the highlights of the exhibition especially, the ‘sunken lizard’ which is a popular one amongst visitors. New to the museum, is a preserved gecko, a parasitic wasp and a 4cm specimen of a bird catcher all beautifully preserved in Amber.
The Details
You’ll now find the Museum of Amber in the Old Mill, which was built by the Teutonic Knights in1350 yet has been altered many times. After being closed for years, the newly restored building opened in July 2021 as the Museum of Amber. If you’ve visited before, you would have attended the previous location that was held in the Prison Tower and Torture Chamber. The curators decided it was time for a change and opted to expand the exhibition. The new venue that is only down the road offers more space as well as an equally rich history.
Contemporary in design, the building is split into three floors. As you enter on the ground floor, you’ll be met by the ticket office and the gift shop. Climb up to the first floor to explore the Amber in Nature exhibition, followed by the second floor showing Amber in Culture. The building itself is just incredible and will make you stop and stare for a while before stepping inside.
It’s a museum aimed at all the family and doesn’t take too long to get round the whole place. The tourist attraction has the perfect amount of information without becoming too overwhelming and definitely keeps your interest. Set against a black backdrop the glow of the Amber really shines and catches your eye as you make your way around.
Overall, a fun, educational, interesting and interactive day out for everyone in the family!