Muzeum Bursztynu – Skarby Bałtyku

How it is Liz

a month ago

"My visit to Katownia was an eye opening look at the history of crime, punishment, and torture in medieval Gdansk. The exhibits are informative, the historic setting is impressive, and the displays provide interesting insight into how justice was carried out centuries ago. Worth a visit for anyone interested in history. The walk throughout is a little uneven. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and keeping aware of surroundings"

Mat Bienczyk

a month ago

"Katownia in Gdansk is a historical and architectural gem that offers a captivating journey through the city's past. Visitors can explore the Gothic fore gate complex, including the smaller building which once housed a torture chamber and courthouse, and the larger tower which served as a prison."

Bianca W

11 months ago

"The torture museum has some interesting history of the city and how it handled crime. There's a nice route signposted throughout and most exhibits are explained in English as well. There's also a viewing tower higher up witha really nice view down the main street towards the St. Mary's church. Stairs are very uneven and tall though, so it may be difficult to walk up and down them. Still, it's a decent little exhibit for an affordable ticket price."

Yarys

a year ago

"The Katownia in Gdańsk, also known as the Torture House, is a historic building that forms part of the city's medieval fortifications. Located adjacent to the Prison Tower (Wieża Więzienna), it constitutes the Foregate Complex (Zespół Przedbramia) of Długa Street, serving as a significant landmark in Gdańsk's Main Town.​ Historical Overview 14th Century Origins: Constructed in the second half of the 14th century, the Katownia was initially designed as a defensive structure to protect the main entrance to the city. ​ 16th Century Transformation: Between 1593 and 1604, under the direction of Flemish architect Anthonis van Obbergen, the building underwent significant renovations. During this period, it was repurposed to house a torture chamber, courtrooms, and prison cells. The architectural enhancements included the addition of a richly decorated roof adorned with sculptures of city guards. ​ Architectural Features The Katownia exhibits a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Notable features include:​ Elaborate Roofline: The roof is embellished with ornamental sculptures representing city guards, reflecting the building's historical function in law enforcement. ​ Structural Layout: The building comprises multiple levels, with the ground floor historically serving as the executioner's residence, upper floors containing prison cells, and the top floor housing courtrooms. ​ Post-War Restoration and Current Use Severely damaged during World War II, the Katownia underwent extensive restoration efforts in the subsequent decades. By the 1970s, it became part of the Historical Museum of the City of Gdańsk. From 2006 until 2021, it housed the Amber Museum. Following the museum's relocation, the building now hosts the Museum of Gdańsk Reconstruction, offering visitors insights into the city's post-war rebuilding efforts. ​"