It is also the beaches where the likelihood of finding this sunny stone is the highest on the entire Baltic coast. One of the attractions that invariably attract great interest are, among others, demonstrations of amber fishing and processing using ancient and modern techniques. The fact that amber has the power to attract visitors can be seen on the so-called Amber Fifth Avenue in Gdańsk, where galleries with products made of this stone are located.
The Tricity is most tempting with its amber attractions, but it is also worth visiting other towns on the Pomeranian Amber Trail - they too have a lot to offer. Numerous museums, educational workshops, processing and polishing demonstrations, as well as fashion shows, trade fairs or mass open-air events and specific weekend packages starring amber - these are suggestions for both domestic and foreign tourists. But above all, it is a strength and a distinguishing feature of the city and the region.
Gdansk
The oldest traces of an amber workshop in Gdańsk date back to the late 10th century. Even then, raw material and amber products were sold to other cities in the Polish lands and Flanders. The greatest flowering of artistic creativity in Gdańsk, where amber was the main raw material for production, occurred in the 17th and 18th centuries. Numerous works of amber were created in studios in Gdańsk on the order of wealthy bourgeoisie, nobility, magnates, clergy and Polish kings. Products from Gdansk reached the princely and royal courts of the whole of Europe, and were the most valuable diplomatic gifts for popes, tsars, sultans and caliphs, as well as the rulers of the largest European countries.
Gdansk, dubbed the Amber Capital of the World, brings together over 70% of the world's jewellery and amber products distinguished by modern design and high quality workmanship. This unique stone, often also called magical, has become an important element of the city's promotion both at home and abroad. It is here that the amber heart of Poland beats. The most important events take place on the Gdańsk amber scene: The International Amber and Jewellery Fair Amberif, there are museums boasting impressive amber collections (e.g. the Amber Museum, the Museum of Inclusions in Amber, the Archaeological Museum), it is here that innovative ideas for amber products are born, an excellent overview of which is offered by Amber Fifth Avenue (Mariacka, Długie Pobrzeże and Długa Streets), and it is here that numerous exhibitions devoted to the „gold of the Baltic” are held, mainly contemporary amber art (e.g. in theIt is here that numerous exhibitions devoted to "the gold of the Baltic" are held, mainly contemporary amber art (e.g. at the Amber Museum in Gdańsk and at the Gallery of the International Amber Association), as well as the most important competitions promoting the artistic use of amber (Amberif Design Award, Selection).
Gdynia
Gdynia is home to the largest manufacturer of amber products in Poland - S&A Jewellery Design, which offers amber processing demonstrations for organised tourist groups. Visitors can listen to history, curiosities, see and learn how to distinguish Baltic amber from fakes, and touch and learn about its properties.
The artistic district of Gdynia - Orłowo - is also strongly connected with amber. It was here that the famous Polish writer Stefan Żeromski got to know amber during his holidays spent in a small fisherman's cottage - he described his admiration for this stone in his novel „Wiatr od morza”.
Sopot
A city of artists and modern design in amber jewellery. It is here that the well-known amber jeweller Lucjan Myrta, who creates spectacular objects from natural varieties of amber, has his workshop. It is here that the famous music festival (now known as the Sopot Festival) takes place, with the main prize being the Amber Nightingale (designed and made for many years by the renowned Sopot artist Bogdan Mirowski). The city, famous for its numerous art galleries, also hosts numerous exhibitions dedicated to amber.
Słupsk
Slupsk's Bear of Happiness - a talisman that has become, above all, the town's calling card. The amber figurine was found in the vicinity of Słupsk back in the 19th century, but according to researchers it is an amulet of a bear hunter estimated to be 6,000 years old. Currently, the original can be seen in the National Museum in Szczecin, while a faithful copy made by a Slupsk artist is on display in the Town Hall.
A unique place on the „amber map” of the city is Narcyz Kalski's Amber Gallery. The gallery produces Art Nouveau and modern jewellery, sculpture, applied art and occasional amber and silver statuettes. Exhibitions of painting, sculpture and ceramics are also a regular feature. Classes on amber are also held here.
Pruszcz Gdański
Faktoria in Pruszcz Gdański is a unique archaeological park that takes visitors back to the times of the Amber Trail, one of the most important trade routes of antiquity. Here you can see reconstructions of buildings from two thousand years ago, including the huts of craftsmen working with amber. Demonstrations are held on site, during which visitors can try to make amber jewellery with their own hands and learn about amber processing techniques. Exhibitions present unique artefacts related to amber and the history of the trade in the region. This is an excellent place for the whole family, offering an unforgettable journey back in time and an opportunity to experience the beauty and history of amber.