Hotels near The Gdansk Crane

The Gdansk Crane (Zuraw) is the icon of the Long Waterfront and the largest surviving medieval port crane in Europe. Built between 1442 and 1444 and rebuilt after 1945 based on the original drawings, the two brick towers straddle the water gate and enclose a wooden hoist mechanism powered by two large treadwheels 6 metres in diameter. Two men walking inside each wheel could lift up to 2 tonnes to a height of 27 metres - enough to step masts into the ships that docked below.

The Crane is part of the National Maritime Museum. Inside you can climb up to see the treadwheels themselves, plus a compact exhibition on Gdansk's port life between the 15th and 17th centuries when the city handled up to 80 percent of Poland's grain exports to the Netherlands, England, and France. The Long Waterfront outside has been re-cobbled and lined with cafes and small restaurants, and evening lights bounce off the Motlawa's dark surface for a classic photo.

Pro Tip: Cross the Motlawa on the pedestrian St Mary's footbridge to Olowianka Island for the best straight-on shot of the Crane and the waterfront. There is a small viewing terrace behind the Philharmonic building that is almost always empty.