Central Maritime Museum Crane (the Crane is one of the most original architectural monuments of gdańsk. The building of the XIV century, towering over the motława river waterfront, was one of the most advanced structures of its time in Europe. This port crane was used for loading and unloading vessels, and also served a defensive function, as it was a port city gate. He also served for masts on ships.

Its current form it acquired in the middle ages, in the years 1442-1444. In essence, it is a crane, consisting of two round towers and blackened by time, wooden superstructure between them. On the roof is copper crane – the symbol of vigilance, hence the name - the Crane.

The exhibition, arranged inside the Crane, explains its mechanism of action, witty and simple. Before the front wall of a Crane hung over the edge of the water. Rope cargo weighing up to 4 tons raise and lower hooks on the wall with a height of 27 meters. The rope was fastened on the axis, and its already in motion led the people moving in two large wheels with a diameter of over 5 meters, according to the principle of squirrels in a wheel. In the center of the Crane has a window and watched the movement of cargo.

During the Second world war the Crane was destroyed, and rebuilt it in 1956 - 1965. Due to this, tourists have the unique opportunity to feel the spirit of the past. In the rooms of the Museum recreations of everyday scenes workers crane – weigher, the accountant and the receiver of the goods. Also the lower floors of a Crane was used as a dwelling. A reconstruction of the living room. In each hall of the exhibition hang brief descriptions of exhibits in foreign languages.

This unique valve-sealed gate on the 5-goldenbeach coins 1932 Free city of Danzig (Gdansk). Since then, the Crane
became one of the most recognizable symbols of gdańsk.

Bringing a unique flavor to the panorama of the city, the Maritime Museum of the Crane over the Motlawa rivers is one of the most interesting tourist attractions of Gdansk.