Amber Museum in Gdansk is an attraction that is hard to miss when visiting this beautiful city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Some are lucky enough to find amber simply on the beach, while others can discover its beauty through the exhibits at the Amber Museum in Gdansk’s Great Mill. Of course, we’re talking about amber, the golden droplet of fossilized resin that has accompanied humanity with its beauty since ancient times. This “gold of the north” has been and still is one of the greatest export hits of Baltic cities, especially Gdansk.
The local craftsmen have passed down the secrets of amber processing from generation to generation, perfecting their craft, as evidenced by the exhibits collected at the Amber Museum in Gdansk.
Amber Museum in Gdansk in Great Mill
The Amber Museum in Gdansk is a relatively “fresh” institution, established in 2006 (do you also feel that everything after 2000 is relatively young, or is it just me who feels that way and can’t believe how much time has passed since that date?).
That’s when the authorities of Gdansk decided to open another museum. The choice of theme was obvious. Amber has been known in Gdansk for centuries, but there was no place where one could appreciate its beauty and delve into its mysteries in a friendly environment.
The first location chosen was the old city torture chamber. Unfortunately, over time it turned out that the rooms were quite cramped, and it wasn’t possible to create a truly spectacular exhibition. It wasn’t until July 2021, after moving to the Great Mill, that the amber exhibition really came to life. The exhibition area was tripled, significantly enhancing the visitor experience.
The Great Mill – One of Gdansk’s Greatest Monuments
It’s worth learning a bit about the building that houses the Amber Museum. The Great Mill in Gdansk is the largest medieval mill in Europe. It was built in 1350 during the Teutonic Knights’ rule. The waters of the Radunia River powered as many as 18 mill wheels that set the massive millstones in motion.
Interestingly, the Great Mill in Gdansk remained in use until the end of World War II when it was partially destroyed. It was rebuilt in the 1960s, but no longer served its original purpose. After restoration, it housed a disco, warehouses, a marketplace, Pewex, an arcade, and various other facilities.
Finally, in 2016, the Great Mill was handed over to the Amber Museum, and adaptation work began to suit the exhibition needs.
Practical Information about the Great Mill in Gdansk
Address Great Mill: Wielkie Młyny 16, 80-849 Gdansk.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices:
- Monday: 10.00-19.00
- Tuesday: 10.00-19.00
- Wednesday: 10.00-19.00 – free admission
- Thursday: 10.00-19.00
- Friday-Saturday: 10.00-19.00
- Sunday: 10.00-19.00
Ticket prices:
I recommend checking prices online, on a trusted website, where you will always find interesting offers and numerous opportunities.
Exploring the Treasures of the Amber Museum in Gdansk
As you might guess, the Gdansk Amber Museum’s dominant feature is… well, amber. 🙂
Spread over three levels of the mill, the museum boasts virtually all types of fossilized resin found worldwide (at least that’s my impression). The variety is so vast that I was genuinely surprised by the diversity of amber, from honey-like hues to completely milky white.
The rooms in the Amber Museum in Gdansk are filled with showcases and exhibits. However, the most fascinating exhibits are those where tiny creatures found themselves trapped in the resin millions of years ago.
Amber Inclusions in the Amber Museum in Gdansk
Yes, the inclusions were particularly fascinating to me and to the kids. Looking at the insects trapped in resin at specially prepared stations, I couldn’t help but think:
Now I am gazing into the past, and what a distant past it is. Who would have thought that the trap that cost a butterfly or a mosquito its life would grant it near immortality?
Immediately, a scene from Jurassic Park came to mind, where scientists obtained dinosaur blood from a tiny mosquito. Today, I know that’s basically nonsense, but back in 1993 it was impressive and sparked the imagination, making one wonder if such a thing might ever be possible. Insects trapped in amber are ancient souvenirs from ancient times.
Now, however, I am more puzzled by how that tiny mosquito, indistinguishable from our annoying contemporary creatures, managed to pierce the skin of a Triceratops or another reptilian monster with its little tube. Is there a palaeontologist in the room who can explain this?
It was standard for insects to fall into the sticky trap, but capturing a fast, four-legged vertebrate was quite a feat. That’s why the museum’s greatest treasure, the Gierłowski Lizard, is so captivating. It’s the second known lizard preserved in Gdansk amber (the first was found during the Prussian rule). It was discovered on the beach in Gdansk Stogi in 1997. Luckily, instead of ending up in a private collector’s hands, this unique world-class specimen can be viewed in the museum. I highly encourage you to visit. It’s worth it.
Amber Museum in Gdansk and Amber Sculptures
As if that weren’t enough, the Amber Museum decided to showcase artworks crafted by true artists who chose amber as their medium. I have to admit, if it weren’t for the vigilant security, those amber chess pieces would have found a perfect spot on my desk. However, they look stunning in the display cases, and I won’t diminish the exhibition so you can enjoy them too.
Musical instruments made of amber
It’s a shame that such beautiful chess pieces aren’t used for their intended purpose, much like the amber guitar, which, judging by the photos next to the case, has been played.
What Else Did We Like in Amber Museum in Gdansk?
Mary immediately rushed to the amazing sculptures resembling fantastic characters from books (clearly influenced by bedtime stories), while Małgosia, like a true princess, was enchanted by all sorts of jewellery.
Summary of Our Visit to the Amber Museum in Gdansk
To be completely honest, I didn’t expect a museum dedicated solely too amber to be so interesting. Moreover, I didn’t think it would also appeal to kids. The Amber Museum in Gdansk is a modern institution that looks phenomenal! The space gained from adapting the mill allows for an even better display of what’s most important here. The amber treasures look incredible, and the gentle darkness provides a perfect backdrop for the illuminated exhibits.
It’s great to see that thanks to the move from the torture chamber to the Great Mill, more and more tourists are visiting this place to learn about the history of fossilized resin. Our Trails highly recommend this Gdansk attraction. It’s worth it!
Information about Amber and Its Origin
Okay, it’s nice to look at everything, but what exactly is amber? This question should probably have been asked at the very beginning, but there’s always time to catch up. So, let’s embark on a journey that began around 40 million years ago, when a drop of sticky, aromatic resin oozed from a wound in a tree trunk.
As mentioned earlier, a wound in a conifer tree around 40 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch, filled with resin, which hardened when exposed to the elements, forming a tough shell. This all happened on a continent that occupied the area of today’s Baltic Sea, called Fennoscandia.
Through extensive research and observation, it has been determined that the vegetation of the time, much like today’s tropical forests, was year-round. However, this green paradise wasn’t entirely peaceful. It was frequently shaken by volcanic eruptions that injured the giant trees, causing resin to ooze from their trunks.
Eventually, the injured trees died, and the only witness to their existence was this inconspicuous lump of hardened resin. Millions of years of physical and chemical processes led to its fossilization, creating the amber we talk about today.
Why the World Went Crazy for Amber
Do you know what’s extraordinary? Humanity chooses what is valuable and what is not. Look at this golden mineral, which chemically is similar to coal, and you could say it’s practically the same. Moreover, their physicochemical properties are similar – both coal and amber can burn. So why do we burn one in stoves and use the other as a decorative element?
Here’s the answer. It’s all because of women! Seriously, it’s all thanks to women. Long ago, a primitive man, clad in furs, walking along the beach thought that this amber, which shone beautifully in the sun, would look great around his beloved’s neck.
He grabbed the droplet of golden, amber dreams and ran to show his find. Thanks to this, he probably got lucky that night. Soon, others in the village caught on, and before long, women’s necks, hands, and legs were adorned with increasingly elaborate amber jewellery. The jewellery was so beautiful that amber quickly became an export hit, conquering practically the whole world.
The Amber Route from the Baltic to the Mediterranean
The desire to own amber jewellery led to the creation of the Amber Road, along which amber from the Baltic coasts made its way to the Mediterranean and even beyond. The Celts, and later Roman merchants, ventured into the lands of the eastern barbarians with their hearts in their mouths and bags filled with silver denarii and gold. They risked their lives just to sell lyncurium (as they called amber) at Roman marketplaces for enormous profits. Many did not return alive from these expeditions. However, those who succeeded basked in wealth for the rest of their days.
We are very curious about your thoughts on amber jewellery. Be sure to leave a comment on our Facebook page.
Amber information and interesting facts
- The word amber comes from the German word “Bernstein,” which literally translates to “burning stone.”
- There are about 60 types of amber found worldwide.
- In ancient times, amber was considered a remedy for everything. An actual panacea. There were amber ointments, tinctures, incense, and whatever else could be imagined.
- In the Tuchola Forest, during Prussian rule, amber was mined by the open-pit method. However, the environmental devastation was so great that mining was banned. The most illegal excavations occurred in the forests around Woziwoda.
- Recently, Polish Baltic amber resources have been slowly depleting. This has caused an exorbitant price increase, which is unlikely to decrease. Currently, 100 grams cost nearly 2 000 euros.
- It is estimated that 90% of the world’s amber reserves are located in the Kaliningrad Oblast.
- In 1887, near Słupsk, a peat bog yielded a bear figurine. This bear hunter’s amulet dates back to the Neolithic period, approximately 7,000 years before our era.
- According to Roman legend, amber was formed from the petrified urine of a lynx, hence the name lyncurium.
- On Langkawi Island, in the Perdana Gallery, one can see a gift made of Gdansk amber for the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
- The greatest work of Gdansk masters was the Amber Room, made for Frederick I. This artifact still captures the imagination of treasure hunters hoping for a quick fortune. Its market value is currently estimated at up to 1 billion PLN. It was made from 5 tons of the finest amber.
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