Forty million years ago, on the site of present-day Kaliningrad and the Baltic coast, tropical mixed forests grew that scientists called the "northern jungles." In this flora palms, lianas, myrtles, sequoias and amber-bearing pines coexisted; their resin, over millennia, turned into the remarkable gemstone—amber. Our ancestors called amber the "sun stone" and believed it was a second Sun that had fallen into the sea and shattered into countless fragments.
The stone was attributed with magical and healing properties, and amber jewelry and talismans were used to protect loved ones and the home. Amber, or "alatyr" as it was called in Rus', is not merely a precious gem but a frozen history of the planet. In some amber fragments there are remains of ancient flora and fauna that are of enormous value to the scientific community.
The amber deposit in the Kaliningrad region accounts for about 90% of the world's mineral reserves. The region also hosts the largest mineral extraction enterprise and a center for artistic amber processing. It was on the basis of unique fossil finds and the work of local craftsmen that the unique Amber Museum was created.
The Amber Museum is located in the very heart of Kaliningrad, on the shore of Upper Lake, in a fortification structure—the Don Tower. The Don Tower was built in 1853 under the direction of the chief of the engineering corps Ernst Ludwig von Aster; it was part of the city's defensive complex and has been preserved almost in its original form. The Amber Museum opened in 1979 and became one of the most visited museums of the Soviet Union. In 2003 the museum gained the status of an independent cultural institution.
The museum's exhibition is arranged radially across the tower's three floors and divided into natural-science and cultural-historical sections. There is a circular inner courtyard with a fountain on the grounds where you can relax in good weather. It's best to visit on weekdays and allow 2–2.5 hours of free time for the tour. If you're not in a hurry, you can complement the tour with a detailed audio guide.
In the natural-science department, the largest amber in Russia, weighing 4 kg 280 g, is on display, and a diorama of an ancient tropical forest has been recreated. Also presented is a unique collection of amber inclusions containing remnants of ancient dragonflies, millipedes, and conifer trees from the Eocene epoch. Particularly interesting is a specimen with a preserved feather of a prehistoric bird.
In the cultural-historical section you can see amber jewelry, Neolithic-era items, and other artifacts found during archaeological excavations. Also displayed is a large exhibit of scientific reconstructions of amber objects: amber beads, ashtrays, snuffboxes, and jewelry boxes. One of the most famous exhibits is a replica of an amber room set that was gifted in the 18th century to Peter I by the King of Prussia, Frederick William. This set was lost during World War II but was restored and presented in the museum in 2003.
The Amber Museum in Kaliningrad is a must-visit if you are in the region. It is a unique opportunity to learn about the region's history and culture and to enjoy the beauty and distinctive character of the amber exhibits.
