For a thousand years Gdansk has been an important city and primary port in Northern Poland, due to its strategic positioning where the Vistula River meets the Baltic sea. It’s known as a place for culture, artistic amber jewelry, handmade jewelry, and festivals. Amber workshops have formed an integral part of the cultural backdrop since the 10th century, and the popularity of the native Baltic amber increased during the 14th century when the Teutonic Order began exporting the ancient resin rock to Venice, Amsterdam, Antwerp and Germany. In 1477, Gdansk became the center for the first amber guild. The term Gold of the North is applied to amber mined in that region and it’s famed because Baltic amber is rich in succinic acid known for its curative properties.
Many people come to Gdańsk due to it being the center for the largest world amber fair called AMBERIF. However, a tour any time of the year can awe collections and amber lovers. Starting at the Gdańsk History Museum, with exhibits such as The Polish Sea Gems, and City Hall with masterful amber creations on display by artists such as Lucjan Myrta’s. To see the largest amber sculpture in the world, which weighs 2.5 kilograms, you’ll have to be in Gdansk. Don’t forget to go to the Archaeological Museum to view amber through the centuries and how it’s processed, and the Museum of Amber Inclusions for an up-close view of some of the world’s best prehistoric fossil inclusions in embalmed in the precious resin stone. Then there’s St. Bridget’s Church, where artists are in the process of creating an amber alter, although it’s not yet finished.
Touring the workshops and galleries of the old town is where you can shop for raw Baltic amber pendant designs that are one-of-a-kind and Baltic amber beads in honey color, lemon yellow, cognac, green and even reddish purple. Many artisans who work with silver and Baltic amber beads also blend coral, pearls and turquoise stones to give contrast. When it comes to earrings, bracelets, charms and even genuine Baltic amber pendant necklaces, such as traditional amber crosses, prayer beads and rosaries, there’s no place to shop like the streets of Gdansk.
I have been a bit busy lately, but here is an article that you may find interesting! I will be posting again on Monday!
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