Cities
Poland Gdansk Pomeranian Museum

The Crane

About

The Crane in Gdańsk, rising proudly over the Motława River, is one of the city’s most recognisable symbols and a remarkable example of medieval port engineering. Built in the 15th century, it once served as both a loading device and a defensive gate, operated by giant wooden treadwheels powered by workers walking inside them. This impressive mechanism allowed the Crane to lift heavy cargo and set ship masts, playing a crucial role in Gdańsk’s bustling maritime trade. Today, the restored structure forms part of the National Maritime Museum, offering visitors a chance to explore its timber interior and learn about the daily life of port workers. Its dark brick and timber silhouette remains a defining feature of the waterfront, connecting modern Gdańsk with its Hanseatic past. The Crane stands as a powerful reminder of the city’s long maritime heritage and its historic role as a major Baltic trading hub.

Gdansk Poland
The Crane
Location

The Crane (Żuraw) is located at Szeroka 67/68 on the Motława riverfront in the very heart of Gdańsk’s Old Town, where Szeroka Street meets the Long Embankment (Długie Pobrzeże). It stands directly on the waterfront opposite Ołowianka Island and the National Maritime Museum complex, with the SS Sołdek museum ship moored nearby, and is just a short walk from Długi Targ, Neptune Fountain, Artus Court, the Main Town Hall, St Mary’s Basilica and the surrounding historic streets and promenades of the Main Town.

Museum of Gdańsk Main Town Hall Museum of Gdańsk Main Town Hall Museum National Museum in Gdańsk National Museum in Gdańsk Museum National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk Museum Museum of the Second World War Museum of the Second World War Museum European Solidarity Centre European Solidarity Centre Museum Artus Court Artus Court Museum Uphagen House Uphagen House Museum Amber Museum Amber Museum Museum Archaeological Museum in Gdansk Archaeological Museum in Gdansk Museum NOMUS – New Art Museum NOMUS – New Art Museum Museum SS Sołdek Museum Ship SS Sołdek Museum Ship Museum Polish Post Office Museum Polish Post Office Museum Museum Museum of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Museum of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Concert Hall Gdański Teatr Szekspirowski Gdański Teatr Szekspirowski Theatre Teatr Wybrzeże Teatr Wybrzeże Theatre Teatr Miniatura Teatr Miniatura Theatre Teatr Leśny Teatr Leśny Theatre Baltic Opera Baltic Opera Opera House Wisłoujście Fortress Wisłoujście Fortress Castle Postern of Bastion Schütz Postern of Bastion Schütz Fortress St. Mary's Church Gdansk St. Mary's Church Gdansk Basilica Oliwa Cathedral Oliwa Cathedral Cathedral St. Catherine’s Church Gdansk St. Catherine’s Church Gdansk Church St. Bridget’s Church St. Bridget’s Church Church St. John’s Church Gdansk St. John’s Church Gdansk Church Church of the Holy Trinity Gdansk Church of the Holy Trinity Gdansk Church Neptune's Fountain Neptune's Fountain Sculpture Golden Gate Golden Gate Historical Landmark Green Gate Green Gate Museum Westerplatte Westerplatte Monument Oliwa Park Oliwa Park Park Gdańsk Zoo Gdańsk Zoo Zoo Brzeźno Pier Brzeźno Pier Tourist attractions AmberSky Ferris Wheel AmberSky Ferris Wheel Tourist attractions Papugarnia Gdańsk Papugarnia Gdańsk Zoo Astronomical Observatory in Gdańsk Astronomical Observatory in Gdańsk Observatory President Ronald Reagan Park President Ronald Reagan Park Park Park Oruński im. Emilii Hoene Park Oruński im. Emilii Hoene Park Olivia Garden Olivia Garden Tourist attractions French Garden French Garden Garden