Find the Lithuanian gold in Palanga Amber Museum

Every country has something to be proud of, and Lithuania, for sure, is proud of its amber. More than 80% of the world's amber comes from the Baltic region. Amber was formed more than 44 million years ago when instead of Baltic sea, the dark woods were stretched. According to scientists, those woods produced more than 100 000 tons of amber. Incredible numbers, huh? Even in the old times, amber from the Baltic region was considered to be of the highest quality. Till nowadays, amber jewelry or just pieces of pure amber are the most popular gifts among tourists and locals. I still remember my grandma keeping the small piece of amber in her wardrobe or putting it on the painful body parts. Lithuanians believe that pure amber has healing power. But do you know where to find an exhibition of more than 4000 pieces of amber? Or where is the famous and the biggest amber in Lithuania called Saulės Akmuo (The Stone of Sun), which was stolen several years ago? Let’s get to know more about the Lithuanian gold - amber and its museum in Palanga.

Tiškevičiai palace and amber collections

Palanga Amber Museum is established in the former Tiškevičiai Palace, in the resort city of Lithuania - Palanga. This museum together with Palanga bridge (that is perfect for watching incredibly beautiful sunsets) are the symbols of Lithuania. The museum has a botanic garden and beautiful views of the sea, from the second-floor windows. Every Lithuanian knows that visiting Palanga Amber Museum, while staying in Palanga, is a must. But let’s back to Tiškevičiai Palace and amber museum. So, the museum itself has 28 000 pieces of amber, out of which 5 000 are exhibited. The interesting thing is that about 15 000 pieces of museum’s amber are with insects, spiders or plants inclusions. In the museum, you also can see explore some of 44 million years old spiders. The museum was opened in 1963 with the collection of 480 pieces of amber. The palace where the museum is established was owned by the Tiškevičiai family at the end of the 19th century. The palace is a Neo-Renaissance style building, nowadays famous place for wedding photos.

The Sun Stone

The highlight of the museum is its famous Sun Stone - Europe’s third-largest amber. The Sun Stone weighs 3 kilograms and 526 grams (big like a human head), and from the Palanga Amber Museum was stolen twice. The last time, the thieves return it to the museum by themselves. Actually, they wanted to ransom the stone for 20 thousand litai (approximately 6 000 euros), but the police caught them and saved the stone. This larceny is considered one of the most interesting cases in whole Lithuanian history.

So, visit the Palanga Amber Museum and make a photo there. And of course, the must thing is to buy (or find) a piece of Lithuanian gold - amber.* *It will forever remind you of beautiful Lithuania, our seaside and time spent in the Palanga Amber Museum.