Go Shopping for Baltic Amber in Gdansk, Poland
Published by Alexandra E. Szydlowska, Writer
Country: Poland 
The Experience
With its beautifully restored 17th century burgher townhouses and polished cobblestone streets, Gdansk, Poland shows little of the ravages bestowed on it by modern history. Famously invaded by Hitler at Westerplatte on the 1st September 1939, Gdansk’s shelling sparked WWII and threw Europe into conflict. Six years later, the city was liberated by the Red Army, only to be destroyed once again.
After decades of painstaking restoration, Gdansk once again resembles something of its former glory. Central to its heritage is amber, with the earliest evidence of an amber workshop in Gdansk dating back to the late 10th century AD. Today Gdansk runs its own amber processing school, and its amber masters continue to enjoy worldwide appreciation for their craft.
Archeologists believe that amber was first cultivated in Pomerania by the region’s prehistoric settlers, who ascribed the unique-looking stone with magical properties and used it to make amulets and idols for pagan worship. Later on, during the 5th century BC, Gdansk flourished as a key port along the Amber Route, trading amber from the Baltic Sea to ancient Greece and Rome.
However, Gdansk’s Golden Age came at the turn of the 17th century, when amber trading reached its peak as it became fashionable among Poland’s royal and noble classes. The semi-precious stone, known as ‘Baltic gold,’ became a national symbol of Gdansk’s prosperity, offered as a diplomatic gift to popes, tsars, kings, sultans and caliphs.
Thanks to the prehistoric pine forests that once grew there, the coast of the Baltic Sea sources about 80 percent of the world’s amber. This beautiful semi-opaque stone is formed out of fossilized tree resin during a process lasting approx. 35-40 million years. The stone is then hand-sifted out of the quartz sand, shallow water and clay deposits which line the Baltic coast.
Depending on its age, amber comes in a dazzling range of colours, from white, yellow and green to red, brown and black. The most prized examples contain the preserved remains of plants, insects, and even small vertebrates, stuck millions of years ago in the resin and left forever trapped in time.
Any tour of Gdansk’s amber history should begin at the Amber Museum, located in the Prison Tower on historic Dluga Street. Its six floors explore every aspect of amber production, from its harvesting and trading, to its role in modern art. Visitors can inhale the scent of tree resin, marvel at a lizard encased in amber, and find out about amber’s uses in folk medicine.
The Amber Museum also houses a selection of artifacts from the Georg Laue Collection, including an exquisite amber cabinet. Other highlights include the world’s largest amber sculpture: A Naked Woman After Rodin (weighing in at 2.5kg), and a Fender Stratocaster guitar made of, you guessed it, amber.
Another essential stop-off point for Gdansk amber admirers is St. Bridget’s Church, whose austere interior is adorned by a monumental amber altar with a stunning reproduction of Poland’s famous “Our Lady of Czestochowa" icon. Dedicated to the 44 shipyard workers gunned down during protests in December 1970, the church provided shelter to Lech Walesa and other members of the Solidarity Movement.
Round up the day with a spot of shopping on Mariacka Street and Dluga Street, which both sport an array of luxury galleries and artisan shops selling amber products: including jewellery and crystal-ware, unique pins and rose-shaped brooches, stained glass-style lamps and quirky take-home souvenirs.
Another prime spot to pick up Gdansk's amber is along its Vistula-side promenade, where street vendors offer decent prices for their wares. Look out for unpolished amber flakes steeped in vodka (“nalewka bursztynowa”). According to Poles, the mixture treats everything from rheumatism to hangovers! Rub onto your temples to alleviate headaches or dash liberally into tea for a fiery winter warmer.
After decades of painstaking restoration, Gdansk once again resembles something of its former glory. Central to its heritage is amber, with the earliest evidence of an amber workshop in Gdansk dating back to the late 10th century AD. Today Gdansk runs its own amber processing school, and its amber masters continue to enjoy worldwide appreciation for their craft.
Archeologists believe that amber was first cultivated in Pomerania by the region’s prehistoric settlers, who ascribed the unique-looking stone with magical properties and used it to make amulets and idols for pagan worship. Later on, during the 5th century BC, Gdansk flourished as a key port along the Amber Route, trading amber from the Baltic Sea to ancient Greece and Rome.
However, Gdansk’s Golden Age came at the turn of the 17th century, when amber trading reached its peak as it became fashionable among Poland’s royal and noble classes. The semi-precious stone, known as ‘Baltic gold,’ became a national symbol of Gdansk’s prosperity, offered as a diplomatic gift to popes, tsars, kings, sultans and caliphs.
Thanks to the prehistoric pine forests that once grew there, the coast of the Baltic Sea sources about 80 percent of the world’s amber. This beautiful semi-opaque stone is formed out of fossilized tree resin during a process lasting approx. 35-40 million years. The stone is then hand-sifted out of the quartz sand, shallow water and clay deposits which line the Baltic coast.
Depending on its age, amber comes in a dazzling range of colours, from white, yellow and green to red, brown and black. The most prized examples contain the preserved remains of plants, insects, and even small vertebrates, stuck millions of years ago in the resin and left forever trapped in time.
Any tour of Gdansk’s amber history should begin at the Amber Museum, located in the Prison Tower on historic Dluga Street. Its six floors explore every aspect of amber production, from its harvesting and trading, to its role in modern art. Visitors can inhale the scent of tree resin, marvel at a lizard encased in amber, and find out about amber’s uses in folk medicine.
The Amber Museum also houses a selection of artifacts from the Georg Laue Collection, including an exquisite amber cabinet. Other highlights include the world’s largest amber sculpture: A Naked Woman After Rodin (weighing in at 2.5kg), and a Fender Stratocaster guitar made of, you guessed it, amber.
Another essential stop-off point for Gdansk amber admirers is St. Bridget’s Church, whose austere interior is adorned by a monumental amber altar with a stunning reproduction of Poland’s famous “Our Lady of Czestochowa" icon. Dedicated to the 44 shipyard workers gunned down during protests in December 1970, the church provided shelter to Lech Walesa and other members of the Solidarity Movement.
Round up the day with a spot of shopping on Mariacka Street and Dluga Street, which both sport an array of luxury galleries and artisan shops selling amber products: including jewellery and crystal-ware, unique pins and rose-shaped brooches, stained glass-style lamps and quirky take-home souvenirs.
Another prime spot to pick up Gdansk's amber is along its Vistula-side promenade, where street vendors offer decent prices for their wares. Look out for unpolished amber flakes steeped in vodka (“nalewka bursztynowa”). According to Poles, the mixture treats everything from rheumatism to hangovers! Rub onto your temples to alleviate headaches or dash liberally into tea for a fiery winter warmer.
When to Go to Gdansk Amber
St Dominic’s Fair hits the Old Town during the first three weeks of August, and is a great opportunity to experience Gdansk’s rich calendar of cultural and open-air events. Its Summer Amber Festival features amber-related exhibitions, lectures, gift stalls—even workshops where visitors can try their hand at crafting their own piece of amber jewellery.
During the spring, Gdansk is host to AMBERIF, the world’s largest amber trade fair and exhibition. Held at the MTG Exhibition Centre, the event includes amber fashion shows, scientific seminars, and an international competition for the best amber jewellery design.
During the spring, Gdansk is host to AMBERIF, the world’s largest amber trade fair and exhibition. Held at the MTG Exhibition Centre, the event includes amber fashion shows, scientific seminars, and an international competition for the best amber jewellery design.
Odds n' Ends
Hit up the Gdansk Amber Museum on a Tuesday, when it’s free entry.
Keep your eyes peeled for amber workshops dotted around the Main Town, where you can watch raw amber being worked and crafted into jewellery before your very eyes.
Visiting the kantor (“currency exchange”) pays off in Gdansk as many shop keepers will offer you a 10 percent discount for paying with cash, rather than credit card.
Although street vendors tend to offer cheaper prices for their amber, beware of imitation products. One test is to place the amber in salt water. If it sinks, its authenticity should be questioned. Some shop keepers will be happy to provide this test for you.
Keep your eyes peeled for amber workshops dotted around the Main Town, where you can watch raw amber being worked and crafted into jewellery before your very eyes.
Visiting the kantor (“currency exchange”) pays off in Gdansk as many shop keepers will offer you a 10 percent discount for paying with cash, rather than credit card.
Although street vendors tend to offer cheaper prices for their amber, beware of imitation products. One test is to place the amber in salt water. If it sinks, its authenticity should be questioned. Some shop keepers will be happy to provide this test for you.
Places to Stay Nearby
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Bursztynek Hostel is located in the centre of Gda?sk, with a view of the Old Town. It offers affordable and comfortable rooms with refrigerators, TVs ...
$100 PLN+
The Hotel Wolne Miasto is a beautiful and stylish standard class hotel with 68 rooms, located in the very heart of the Old Town of ... 0 miles away
$278 PLN+
+ 23 others. Show all.
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