Pre-Tour Day 1 | Dzień Pierwszy

Free Museum Day

Torture Chamber and Prison Tower | Izba Orturalna i Wieża Więzienna

This prison was used from the Gothic era until the Nazi occupation.  Never the type to pass up pictures of the only times we are in shackles, we had some fun at this location.

Royal Way | Droga Królewska 

Walking the street the king would follow when visiting town, this wide vehicle-free street is full of details as well as others who are taking a daily stroll.  We were amazed with the depth of the buildings that were taxed based upon street frontage rather than the depth of the buildings.  Thanks to detailed drawings and photographs, the Polish people were able to reconstruct the buildings true to scale, though with plaster in the 1950s due to the financial constraints under Russian communist rule.  The buildings behind them were built to modern standards, however.

St. Mary's Church | Kościół Mariacki 

This medieval red-brick church is the largest brick church in the world and can accommodate 20,0000 standing worshipers.  It was built between 1343 and 1502 by the Teutonic Knights (more about them at Malbork Castle).  Though originally frescoed, the Lutherans whitewashed the entire interior.  You will see below the astronomical clock that is 42 feet tall and the largest wooden clock in the world and has been working since 1473.  There is also a replica of Hans Memling's Last Judgment altarpiece (the original is in Krakow).

Artus Court | Dwór Artusa

Artus Court (named after the legendary King Arthur) was the home to many of the brotherhoods and guilds in the Middle Ages.  The city provided this hall for them. It is the only original one that is still standing today.  There are model ships depicting Baltic vessels that are suspended form the ceiling and are massive in size (seven in total), details everywhere the eye can see proclaiming the wealth of those who came here, and a 520 tiled gigantic stove featuring the faces of kings, queens, nobles, mayors, and burghers, almost all of  which are original tiles.

Amber Museum | Muzeum Bursztynu

Northern Poland is famous for its amber exports, about 75% of the world's amber comes from the area.  The collection displayed at the Amber Museum is quite large and for those who have significant interest in this commodity or take advantage of Free Museum Mondays like us.  Amber naturally comes in 300 shades yellow, oranges, and browns.  However, you will find it can be altered into other colors: heated in an oven it turns red, add black paint to the back and it appears green.