Crane on Motł awa (Crane over Motł awa) is considered to be the oldest harbor crane in all of Europe and a symbol of Gdań sk's maritime history. This 14th-century building, towering majestically above the embankment of the Motł awa River, was one of the most advanced structures of its time in Europe. It impresses rather not with its beauty, but with its unusual architecture that stands out from all the surrounding buildings. It acquired its current form in the Middle Ages (in 1442-1444). This building simultaneously served as a port crane and a city gate. Inside the Zhuravel there was a huge wooden wheel, which was set in motion by the power of human legs.
The crane became the largest crane in Europe, which remains to this day, and was able to lift a weight of up to 4 tons to a height of 11 meters, with its help they put masts on ships. The crane belonged to the city and was run by a special crane master.
Meanwhile, even then Zhurav was not as simple as it seems: down below there were river gates for small ships, on the sides of the crane were installed strong and squat defensive towers made of bricks with military guns. In which case, Zhurav could fight back during an attack!
On the roof is a copper crane - a symbol of vigilance, hence the name - Crane.
This unique crane-gate is depicted on the 193.5-guilder coins of the Free City of Danzig (Gdań sk). Since then, the Crane has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Gdansk.
During the Second World War, the Crane was destroyed, and it was restored in 1956-1965.
Currently, the Maritime Museum - Oddzia? Narodowego Muzeum Morskiego, you can go and see. And next to it is a small model of this building (in case you don’t have money to visit the museum).
The crane became the largest crane in Europe, which remains to this day, and was able to lift a weight of up to 4 tons to a height of 11 meters, with its help they put masts on ships. The crane belonged to the city and was run by a special crane master.
Meanwhile, even then Zhurav was not as simple as it seems: down below there were river gates for small ships, on the sides of the crane were installed strong and squat defensive towers made of bricks with military guns. In which case, Zhurav could fight back during an attack!
On the roof is a copper crane - a symbol of vigilance, hence the name - Crane.
This unique crane-gate is depicted on the 193.5-guilder coins of the Free City of Danzig (Gdań sk). Since then, the Crane has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Gdansk.
During the Second World War, the Crane was destroyed, and it was restored in 1956-1965.
Currently, the Maritime Museum - Oddzia? Narodowego Muzeum Morskiego, you can go and see. And next to it is a small model of this building (in case you don’t have money to visit the museum).
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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