Amber Museum in Gdańsk

30 Jan 2024

Chess set, aut. Michael Redlin, circa 1690, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Preserved lizard of the species Succinilacerta succinea, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

WIELKI MŁYN_MUZEUM BURSZTYNU W GDAŃSKU; fot_Dariusz_Kula

Parasitic wasps preserved in amber, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Etruscan bracelet from the period of the Villanova culture, 8th century BC, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Amber candy brooches. 2006, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Preserved cockroach (Blattodea), Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Preserved parasitic wasp, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Faberge Egg, aut. Victor Mayer Company. A gift on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the City of Gdańsk, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Cabinet in the style of a Gdańsk Baroque wardrobe, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Jewellery set "Glow", aut. Paweł Kaczyński, 2007, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Venetian mask set with Baltic amber. Designed by Atelier Słoma & Trymbulak, made in Venice by Sergio and Massimo Boldrin, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Spider - decoration of a Kurpie cottage, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Chess pieces, aut. Michael Redlin, circa 1690, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Sculpture "Carriage", 2006, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Sculpture "Alien", aut. Bogdan Mirowski, 2006, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

'Gdańska' casket from Lucjan Myrta's studio, 1987, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Fountain pen "Amber-Rex", aut. Ryszard Wojcichowski, 2007, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

Electric guitar "Fender - Stratocaster", aut. Walenty Rybak, 1999-2000, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

"Fly" bracelet, aut. Stanisław Podwysocki, 1999, Amber Museum in Gdańsk

WIELKI MŁYN_MUZEUM BURSZTYNU W GDAŃSKU; fot_Dariusz_Kula

The opening of the NEW Amber Museum in Gdańsk. Photo by Angelika Grabowska.

The Baltic sea is unique for many reasons, both historic and geographic, but it's the wealth of mesmerising baltic Amber deposits that has visitors from all over the world going stir-crazy over "Baltic Gold". Amber can be found all over the region, washing up on the shore in small nuggets, and nowhere else is more closely associated with this anomaly than in Gdańsk (AKA the capital of amber), where the world-famous Amber Museum is located in its millennia-old historic centre. Constantly rated as one of the top things to do in Gdańsk, here the world's largest collection of Amber has been on display since 2006, and few others can compete with its credentials. However, while its current home in the historic Prison Tower & Torture Chamber has served the party well for the last decade and a half, the curators have decided it's time to expand the institution to more visitors. For this reason, it made total sense to move the collection to a much bigger and equally historic venue just down the road - Wielki Młyn, the Grand Mill of Gdańsk. The NEW Amber Museum of Gdańsk has been open to the public since 24th July 2021, and return visitors shouldn't expect just the same old nuggets, jewellery and Fender Ambercaster on display.

The renowned 'sunken lizard' amber stone, which is one of the most popular displays amongst visitors of the Amber Museum.

What is there to see at the Gdańsk Amber Museum?

The NEW Amber Museum shows off a state-of-the-art multimedia exhibition, that takes you on a voyage to discover the unusual history of amber anew. Among a multitude of exhibits, you are able to get up close and personal with amber from all over the world, with plants and animals preserved and immortalised within them, and masterpieces by the old masters, plus a collection of modern artworks. While the institution already has a reputation of being one of best of its kind in the world, the new museum is quickly becoming one of the top tourist attractions in Gdańsk. Here, you will find uniquely-developed exhibits, arranged on two floors, accompanied by immersive multimedia installations, and artistic arrangements of each topical section.

After years of restoration, Gdańsk's *Wielki Młyn* (ENG: **The Grand Mill**) is the new home of the city's Amber Museum.
Photo by Dariusz Kula / Muzeum Gdańska.

The interior of the historic Great Mill is be shrouded in semi-darkness, an effect created meticulously for the new exhibition; the walls and floors are black, in order to accentuate the aura of mystery. The illumination and the bright colour of amber against the contrast of black is intended to highlight the mineral's beauty and draw the visitors into the world of the presented exhibits.

A NEW ADDITION to the collection: a chess set carved from amber, produced by Gdańsk artisan Michael Redlin in the late 17th-century.
These are some of the many artistic displays that can be seen at the Amber Museum in Gdańsk.

Many of you may be wondering "What is amber?" and "Where does baltic amber come from?" Your questions will be answered on the first floor of the permanent exhibition, where visitors have an opportunity to travel millions of years back in time – to the primeval era of when fossil resins and Baltic amber began to form.

The famous Ambercaster - a Fender Stratocaster with a body
made entirely from amber! One of the most famous parts
of the Gdańsk Amber Museum's collection

This other-worldly experience continues through an amber forest, where visitors can witness the process of which amber is formed, including a chance to interact with a 3D model of succinic acid, the essential chemical compound that is responsible for the formation of the mineral. You may also be surprised to find yourself standing on a massive glacier that once dominated the landscape of Central Europe! For more on this topic, read our article: Amber - Baltic Gold.

Animals and Insects in Amber - The collection of 'inclusions' at the Amber Museum, Gdańsk?

The phenomenon of 'inclusions' (or 'imprints') of prehistoric flora and fauna are, by far, the most perplexing exhibits that have been engrained in the human consciousness since the release of Jurassic Park in the mid-90s. In the new version of Gdańsk's Amber Museum, the renowned 'sunken lizard' have remained on display, as well as a whole pack of newcomers - a preserved gecko, a 4cm specimen of a bird catcher, a parasitic wasp have all made their debut in the new premises. The museum is also home to the largest piece of Amber in the world - 68kg block that was uncovered in Sumatra. Amongst the mesmerising artworks and sculptures that have made use of Baltic Gold, you can find a prized new addition - a 17th-century chess set, originally carved in Gdańsk, that made its way to Amsterdam and then to Scotland before returning home. Thanks to its purchase, the chess set has now returned to the place of its creation, testifying to the mastery of the Gdańsk's early craftsmen, and providing a new point of interest for locals who think they've seen it all before!

A parasitic wasp preserved in Amber, on display at the Amber Museum in Gdańsk!

In 2021, the Amber Museum acquired a gigantic boulder of Sumatran Amber from Gunung Tua in Indonesia. Weighing in at an incredible 68kg and measuring 75 x 60 x 45 cm, it is currently in the process of being officiated as the largest single piece of amber in the world! While it may lack the golden colours and transparency that Baltic amber is known for, this mighty wonder actually glows blue when put under UV light!

Sumatran Amber from Gunung Tua in Indonesia - **the largest single piece of amber in the world**. Courtesy of Amber Museum in Gdańsk.

Baltic Amber Jewellery in Gdańsk

On the upper floor, you'll be taken to part two of the permanent exhibition presenting the significance of amber in different cultures, as well as amber history in the Baltic region and abroad. In this section, you'll find exhibits of early and contemporary art, as well as some of the latest productions of baltic amber jewellery. There too, you'll be invited to an interactive ‘Jewellery Fitting Room’, a mirror fitted space that virtually model visitors in modern amber jewellery!

"Carriage" sculpture by Harald Popkiewicz, one of many fantastic amber artworks that can be seen at the Amber Museum in Gdańsk

An inclusive museum for all walks of life!

As one of the top things to see in Gdańsk, for both its collection and the fascinating multimedia presentations, the Amber Museum is ideal for all ages and demographics, and is particularly noted for its family-friendly atmosphere and interactivity. Aside being rich in attractions and multimedia displays, families with children can enjoy educational areas that offer riddles, games, and other amber exhibits that are free to touch. In addition to a restaurant, café and an outlet selling amber products, the Amber Museum can easily provide you with half a day's worth of convenience! The new premises is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities and is accommodating people with hearing impairments.

An amber cabinet designed in a uniquely Gdańsk-Baroque style.

Where can I see more Amber in Gdańsk?

While the museum is an ideal way to be introduced to the world of Amber, specifically that which is found in the local region, the world of Baltic Gold can be experienced all around the city. The picturesque cobblestone Mariacka Street is locally known as the amber district, where you can browse more samples and jewellery of all shapes and sizes. The cultural importance of amber has found its way into places of divine worship, and the altar at St. Bridget's really sets it apart from other dime-a-dozen European churches that wouldn't dare to deviate from the format! For more, read our article: Amber - Baltic Gold.