The Gdańsk crane (Żuraw), icon of the city, is one of its finest buildings and a
medieval structure almost unique in Europe. Built in the 14th century and
renovated in 1442–4, when it acquired its present appearance, it combined the
functions of a city gate and a port crane.

The crane, an entirely wooden structure, is set between two circular brick
towers. It was operated by men working the huge treadmills within, and was
capable of lifting weights of up to 2 tonnes to a height of 27 m (90 ft). The
crane was used not only to load and unload goods but also in fitting masts to
ships.

The crane was destroyed by fire in 1945. As part of the rebuilding programme
after World War II it was repaired and reconstructed, together with its internal
mechanism. It is now part of the collection of the Central Maritime Museum. The
Crane Tower looks out over Ulica Długie Pobrzeże, which runs alongside the River
Motława. Once known as the Long Bridge, it was originally a wooden footbridge
that functioned as a quay where ships from all over the world tied up. Today a
fleet of yachts and small pleasure boats offering trips around the harbour in
the Port of Gdańsk is moored here.