Welcome to what I consider Gdansk's most beautiful and photogenic street! Mariacka or Saint Mary's Street is where you'll understand why Gdansk is called the "Amber Capital of the World." Almost every building houses an amber shop or gallery, their windows glowing with golden treasures. Now look up at the buildings. Notice those elaborate terraces with stone stairs leading to elevated entrances? These are called "przedproża" – a unique Gdansk architectural feature. Merchants would display their finest goods on these terraces, turning the entire street into an outdoor showroom. The decorated parapets and gargoyles weren't just showing off. They also channeled rainwater away from the displays. See if you can spot the gargoyle heads. Water can shoot out of these gargoyle spouts onto the street, so if you happen to be around at a time when it rains, watch out for those gargoyle showers! Now, let’s talk about the amber: Gdansk has been the amber center since medieval times. The Baltic Sea coughs up these fossilized tree resin pieces, some of which are estimated to be 40 million years old! Vikings called it "Baltic Gold," and the Amber Road stretched from here to the Mediterranean. There are many legends about the origin of amber. According to Baltic mythology, there was a beautiful mermaid named Jurata, who lived in a glorious palace beneath the waves, made entirely of amber. Jurata fell in love with a humble human fisherman, which angered Perun, the thunder god. In a rage, the god smashed Jurata’s amber palace to smithereens. The pieces of the shattered palace washed up on the shores of the Baltic, turning into the amber that we find on beaches after storms. Another version says the amber pieces are tears of the sea goddess Jurata, who cried when the gods destroyed her underwater palace as punishment for falling in love with a mortal fisherman. Romantic tragedy sells jewelry, apparently! Scientists have a less poetic explanation involving prehistoric pine forests, but I prefer the mermaid version. Now, if you are planning to buy some amber here, let me share some insider tips. Beware as there's lots of fake amber, usually plastic or resin, sold to tourists. Real amber floats in saltwater and feels warm to the touch. Many shops will let you test pieces and you can find everything from prehistoric insects trapped in amber, which might remind you of Jurassic Park, to massive artistic sculptures. But I would suggest sticking to reputable galleries if you're making a serious purchase. The street is also famous for its evening ambiance. The amber glows in shop windows and candlelit restaurants open their doors. It's ridiculously romantic, which explains all the marriage proposals that happen here. Take time to take some photos and do some actual or window shopping before we head to our next stop by the waterfront, the crane.
