Landmarks

Żuraw w Gdańsku

The Crane over the Motława is one of Gdańsk’s best-known landmarks. Combining a city gate with a port crane, it recalls the period when the city was an important centre of maritime trade. The present brick-and-timber building houses an exhibition of the National Maritime Museum.

City gate and port crane

The earliest written reference dates to 1367. A wooden crane burned down in 1442, and the new Crane was built between 1442 and 1444 between two brick towers. It served both as a water gate and a cargo-handling device. Its distinctive mechanism used six-metre tread wheels powered by human labour.

An exhibition about port life

The exhibition presents shipping and everyday life in historic Gdańsk. Visitors can learn about navigation when entering the port, goods brought to the city, trading procedures, traditional shipbuilding techniques and entertainment in the port town. The route covers three floors and ends with the original crane mechanism.

Practical information

The average visit takes about one hour. According to the museum’s information for 2026, the Crane is open Tuesday 09:00–17:00, Wednesday 13:00–17:00 and Thursday–Sunday 09:00–17:00. The standard ticket is PLN 26 and the reduced ticket PLN 19; admission is free on Wednesdays. These prices are listed as valid until 29 September 2026, so check the current schedule and prices before travelling. Nearby parking is paid only, and the building is not adapted for visitors with limited mobility.