Mentions of the crane being able to lift many tonnes of cargo and raise masts date back to the 14^th Century. The original structure burned down in the fire of 1442, while the one of today harks back to the Crane of the middle of the 15^th Century. The structure is composed of two semicircular towers and a wooden construction with a hook between them. The Crane served not only industrial purposes, but also defence, and was also one of the numerous water gates of the city. Inside, there are reconstructed reels, which comprised the elevating mechanism. It was powered by people, the port workers, who walked on the beams fixed inside the reel.

Because of the war operations of 1945, the wooden part of the Crane was burned down, while only 60% of the brick elements survived. After the war, the structure was rebuilt and presented for the needs of the National Museum of the Sea. Today, the interior serves the organisation of thematic exhibitions presenting the port life of the city. In 2003, the interior of the reel was made accessible to tourists.

Also worth visiting:

– the Maritime Culture Centre

– the SS “Sołdek” ship-museum

– the National Maritime Museum

– the “Dar Pomorza” ship-museum

– the Museum of Fishing in Hel

– the Museum of the Vistula River in Tczew

– the Museum of the Vistula Reservoir in Kąty Rybackie

Foto: R. Baranowski, Dep. Turystyki, UMWP