'BALTIC GOLD'- AMBER MUSEUM

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AMBER THE BALTIC GOLD IN WHICH THE ANCIENTS WERE IN LOVE

This was a real desire! The desire of the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Persians. They lusted after it so much, that the ancient merchants - about 2500 years ago, were willing to risk everything to acquire it. They even went far over the then maps. They had established a new Route from the coast of the Adriatic to the coast of the Baltic Sea. It was all about amber - called the "Baltic Gold". But the stunning collection of amber is not the only reason to visit the Amber Museum in Gdansk which is situated in a gothic-renaissance Prison Tower near the beginning of Royal Way.

The Romans called amber: lyncurium (lynx urine), Greeks: elektron, because of its shine, Arabs:  Anbar, what was connected with its smell, Persians: karuba – gold robber, Jews: haszmal which literally means the flow of current, but metaphysically God's power, Angel's power, and Breath. In Polish, the amber is called bursztyn, in German, Bernstein (the stone that burns). While the associations were different, however, each nation treats the amber in a similar way. Amber was a treasure. It was used to make jewelry, and furniture, in medicine, and even in magic!

In the museum, there are 2000 of amber natural exhibits. This includes 675 works of modern arts and jewelry, and 7 objects made from amber. Probably the most impressive is a lizard sunk in amber. It is a very rare exhibit, but only one of the many other inclusions presented in the museum (there are also bugs, and plants "prisoned" in amber).

While visiting the museum you will learn where amber comes from, and how it was created. You will get details about the features and attributes, and how it was mined, along with how it was processed through the ages.

In the museum, there are also many items made from or containing amber as far as from The Neolithic times to even the modern times. Among these objects, there is a fabulous Cabinet, a kind of escritoire - this is a small writing desk with drawers and compartments, made from various types of amber in 1724.

But the museum isn't exclusively just a collection of amber objects. The Prison Tower is not a random name. For years, indeed it was a prison, interrogation room and torture hall. There are 3 chambers, where this part of the history of the building is presented. Even today it is highly possible that you may feel an unpleasurable thrill down your back. In the first room, the preparations to proceed for an execution is shown, the next one shows the typical place of isolation, and in the third, you will see the tools that were used for torture.

If the weather is good please do not forget about going up to the viewpoint. This will provide you with an opportunity to visually see a large part of an old city.

The amber objects and torture tools collection make the museum very popular. Every year it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 of visitors. Keep this in mind if you are planning to visit the museum. As its recommended, if you are in Gdansk during the most visited period - typically the summertime, it is a good idea is to go there in the early morning. This should provide you an opportunity to beat the crowds if you so desire that, or do not like large groups of people.


Open hours:
Summer season (may - september)
Mon 10:00-13:00 (free entrance)
Tue - Sat 10:00-18:00
Sun 10:00-18:00
Winter season (october - april)
Mon close
Tue 10:00-13:00 (free entrance)
Wed 10:00-16:00
Thu 10:00-18:00
Fri - Sat 10:00-16:00
Sun 11:00-16:00

Ticket prices
Normal: 12.00 zł
Reduced: 6.00 zł
Family ( 2 adults, and up to 6 children): 20.00 zł
Point of view: 5.00 zł