Museum of Amber

The Museum of Amber occupies the Great Mill at Wielkie Mlyny 16 in Gdansk's Old Town, in Poland's Pomeranian region. The museum is a branch of the Museum of Gdansk, and it explores the natural history of amber and its use in jewellery, decoration and art. Gdansk is regarded as a world centre of amber working, and the collection explains why. Displays cover how amber forms from fossilised tree resin, including specimens with trapped insects and plant remains, as well as the history of amber trade and craftsmanship in the city. Visitors see worked pieces ranging from simple beads to elaborate jewellery, boxes and other decorative objects, and can learn how amber is cut, polished and shaped. The setting adds to the experience: the Great Mill is a large medieval brick building that once ground grain for the city, and its sturdy architecture frames the exhibitions on several floors. A visit takes about one to one and a half hours. The most striking objects are the pieces with inclusions and the large decorative works, and they reward close looking. Visitors should check at the desk whether photography is permitted. The museum is open Monday 10:00 to 18:00 with free entry, closed on Tuesdays, and Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00. Standard tickets cost 37 PLN and reduced tickets 26 PLN. Weekday mornings are generally quietest, while free Mondays and summer weekends are busier. The building stands about 10 minutes on foot from the Main Town Hall via Targ Weglowy, so it fits easily into a walk through the Main Town and can be combined with the Polish Post Office museum and the Old Town streets. Hours may change seasonally, so visitors should confirm them on muzeumgdansk.pl before arrival.