A glass bauble workshop where everyone decorates their own ornament and takes it home. Add a letter to Santa, a Christmas village and a shop full of decorations. One of our favourite places.
The Consulate of Saint Nicholas in Kętrzyn — Christmas you can take home
The Consulate of Saint Nicholas (Konsulat Świętego Mikołaja) is a year-round glass bauble workshop and Christmas village in Kętrzyn, at ul. Dworcowa 3a, just under 40 km from Ostoja Dwa Jeziora near Węgorzewo. You can watch a glass-blowing demonstration, decorate your own bauble and write a letter to Santa. Visits must be booked — ideal for families with children and for groups.
A glass bauble workshop just under 40 km from Ostoja Dwa Jeziora. A place we love, recommend wholeheartedly and have been sending our guests to for years — families, school groups and companies.
Why we write about it
Masuria has no shortage of attractions, but guests ask about only a few of them before they even arrive. The Consulate of Saint Nicholas is one of them. We are not surprised: this is a place where Christmas is not a decoration behind glass, but something you can touch, make with your own hands and take home.
We have been there many times — privately, with our children, and professionally, preparing trips for our guests. Every time we leave with the same impression: it is a rare blend of craftsmanship, genuine tradition and a warm, family atmosphere. That is why we recommend the Consulate at every opportunity and help plan the visit — from tips on when to set off to an organised trip for a whole group.
And the best recommendation comes from our guests. They return to Ostoja with rosy cheeks, a box of baubles they decorated themselves and stories that are still being told over dinner at Qchnia.
A place where Christmas lasts all year
The Consulate is in Kętrzyn, at ul. Dworcowa 3a, in a building of tall, spacious halls on two floors. From the moment you step inside you are surrounded by decorated Christmas trees, glittering display cases and the scent of the festive season — whether it is December or July outside.
The heart of the place is the workshop of the Doroszko family business. Its hand-decorated glass ornaments hang on Christmas trees in many countries around the world — from Scandinavia and Germany to the United States and Canada. At the Consulate you can see how they are made and — most importantly — try it yourself.
It is the only place of its kind in Warmia and Masuria.
From a drop of glass to a bauble on the tree — the demonstration
The visit begins with a demonstration. In the master's hands, red-hot glass turns into a sphere, an icicle, a heart or a figurine. Then the ornament goes through further stages: silvering, which gives it a mirror-like shine, lacquering, painting and hand decoration. It all happens a few steps away from you — you can ask questions, watch closely and marvel at how much work goes into a single bauble that we usually buy in a few seconds.
For adults it is a fascinating lesson in craftsmanship. For children — real magic.
Workshops: your very own bauble
The workshop room generates the most excitement. After the demonstration, everyone can take a seat at the table and create something of their own: try their hand at shaping glass, then decorate a bauble to their own design — with colour, glitter, a pattern, a name or the date of the trip.
The techniques are chosen so that even a young child can manage — and the adults who are “just keeping them company” usually have just as much fun. Every participant leaves with ornaments they made themselves. This is a souvenir that will not end up in a drawer: every year it will return to the tree, and every year it will bring back memories of Masuria.
In spring, before Easter, the workshop turns into an Easter-egg painting studio.
The bauble gallery
The following halls hold a collection that is hard to walk past without stopping. Ornaments in Scandinavian, American and Japanese styles, compositions inspired by the famous Fabergé eggs, and alongside them entire themed worlds captured in glass: a sweet shop, a circus, an aquarium, fruit and vegetables, scenes from “The Nutcracker” and “Alice in Wonderland”.
The exhibition changes from time to time, so even those who come back a year later discover something new.
The Christmas village
Here the children take charge. In the fairy-tale village you can:
- write a letter to Saint Nicholas and post it on the spot — apparently Santa answers every single one,
- get a Christmas “passport” at the passport office,
- watch a fairy tale in the little cinema,
- wrap a present for someone special at the gift factory,
- relax over coffee and sweet treats in the little café — the grown-ups' favourite spot.
The ornament shop
To finish — a shop selling ornaments straight from the workshop. You will find baubles that are hard to get elsewhere and little things that make perfect gifts. It is a good way to do your Christmas shopping differently from a shopping centre — and to bring back something truly special from your holiday.
Who it's for
- Families with children — our guests' most popular destination in winter and during the school winter holidays.
- Grandparents and grandchildren — a relaxed pace, plenty to see, working together at the table.
- School and nursery groups — a ready-made, worthwhile trip: craftsmanship, tradition and fun.
- Companies — a festive touch to a team-building trip or a company Christmas party; a hand-made bauble is a better keepsake than yet another branded gadget.
- Couples and adults — for anyone who loves Christmas and craftsmanship.
A sample day from Ostoja
- Morning: a leisurely breakfast at Ostoja and a drive to Kętrzyn (just under 40 km).
- Late morning: a visit to the Consulate — demonstration, workshops, gallery and village (approx. 1.5–2 hours).
- Afternoon: a walk around Kętrzyn and the Teutonic castle; for those who are keen, Święta Lipka or the Wolf's Lair (Wilczy Szaniec) nearby.
- Evening: back to Ostoja for dinner at Qchnia Dwa Jeziora and relaxation in the SPA, while the children unpack their baubles.
How to plan your visit
- Address: Kętrzyn, ul. Dworcowa 3a — just under 40 km from Ostoja Dwa Jeziora.
- Booking: tours take place in groups, at set times. The visit must be booked in advance — ideally at least a day ahead, and in December and during the winter school holidays even several days ahead. Book at www.konsulatmikolaja.pl or by phone.
- Time: allow about 1.5–2 hours.
- Hours and prices: the Consulate publishes current entry times and ticket prices on its website.
- Tip: in the run-up to Christmas, slots disappear fastest — if you are coming to us in December, book the Consulate as soon as you have booked your stay.
From Ostoja to the Consulate — how we help
Individual guests: our reception will gladly help plan your day — suggesting when to set off, what to see on the way and where to eat.
Groups and companies: we organise the whole trip — the booking at the Consulate, transport there and back and a programme tailored to your stay. Write to us and we will prepare a proposal.
Packages: the Consulate goes perfectly with our Christmas, New Year's Eve and winter holiday stays — take a look at our current packages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Consulate of Saint Nicholas?
It is a year-round workshop making glass Christmas-tree ornaments in Kętrzyn, combined with a Christmas village. You can see how baubles are made, make your own, write a letter to Santa and buy ornaments straight from the maker.
Where is it and how far is it from Ostoja Dwa Jeziora?
In Kętrzyn, at ul. Dworcowa 3a — just under 40 km from Ostoja.
Is the Consulate open only before Christmas?
No, it is open all year round. In winter baubles reign supreme, before Easter — painted eggs.
Do you need to book in advance?
Yes. Tours take place in groups at fixed times, so the visit must be booked — ideally at least a day ahead, and earlier in December.
How long does a visit take?
About one and a half to two hours, including the workshops and the village.
From what age will children enjoy it?
The workshops are designed above all for children, and the decorating techniques are simple. The youngest will feel right at home in the Christmas village.
Can you make your own bauble?
Yes — it is the most important part of the visit. Every workshop participant decorates their own baubles and takes them home.
Can you send a letter to Saint Nicholas?
Yes, in the Christmas village children write a letter and post it on the spot.
Can you buy ornaments there?
Yes, in the shop selling ornaments from the workshop.
Is it a good attraction for a group or company?
Very good — especially before Christmas. For groups and companies we organise the trip, including transport there and back.
What else is worth seeing nearby?
The Teutonic castle in Kętrzyn, and not far away Święta Lipka and the Wolf's Lair — it is easy to make a full day of it.
How can you combine the visit with a stay at Ostoja?
Book your stay, and our reception will help plan your day in Kętrzyn. The Consulate fits well with our Christmas and winter holiday packages.
