From medieval times, Gdansk has been an important trading centre for the precious gemstone amber. Though amber is a fossilised tree resin, it has been in much demand for its rich colour and natural beauty for centuries, and is found in the area in large quantities. Owing to Gdansk’s position as an important port on the Baltic Sea, the town evolved into a major trading and designing centre for amber since medieval times. Recognising this, Amber Museum or Muzeum Bursztynu was established in the historic centre of the town in one of the ancient buildings at one end of the Royal Route. The museum beautifully documents the city’s association with this precious gemstone. There’s also a workshop on the ground floor where one can watch craftsmen polish and shape it.