The Crane in Gdansk – What’s New After Renovation & How Much It Costs

The Crane, a medieval port crane on the Motława river, was hidden behind scaffolding for years — but since spring 2024, you can enter it again, this time to experience an entirely new multimedia exhibition unlike anything before. This guide answers the real questions visitors ask before their trip: what you’ll see inside today, how much it costs and how long it takes, and how to connect the Crane with the rest of the National Maritime Museum’s branches across the river.

What is the Crane like today after the renovation?

The Crane stands on Szeroka Street, at Long Embankment — this is Main Town, not Old Town (in Gdańsk these are two separate, adjacent districts). The renovation, which closed the landmark to visitors for several years, ended on April 30, 2024 — the investment cost around 18 million złoty, funded mainly by Norwegian and EOG (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) funds, with additional support from the Ministry of Culture and resources from the National Maritime Museum. As part of the work, the facades and roof were restored, the structure reinforced, and the interior fully adapted for a new permanent exhibition.

The result is a completely different museum than before the renovation — not just refreshed walls, but a new visitor concept based on multimedia rather than display cases with static exhibits. Today, more than two years after reopening, the Crane has become an established part of Gdańsk’s sightseeing program — no longer a novelty — but still surprises visitors who remember it from before the renovation.

How the Medieval Port Crane Worked

The Crane was built between 1442-1444 as the largest port crane in medieval Europe — and also served as a city water gate through which goods arrived from the waterfront. It stands nearly 30 meters high and could lift loads of up to 4 tons to a height of 11 meters, or 2 tons to 27 meters — enough to erect masts on ships docked along the Motława river.

The secret of its operation lay in two wooden treadwheels with a diameter of up to 6 meters — people entered their interiors and set the wheels in motion by walking, like in a giant treadmill. This same purely mechanical principle powered the winch for centuries. The Crane burned down in 1945, was rebuilt in subsequent years, and since the 1960s has served as an exhibition hall of the Maritime Museum — so what you see inside today is actually a second version of the same site: a reconstruction telling the story of the original.

What You’ll See Inside

The new permanent exhibition is titled Gold for Grain: The Maritime Power of Gdańsk and spans three floors and several halls — telling the story of Gdańsk’s port during its 17th-century “golden age,” the peak of grain trade that built the city’s fortune (the same trade we covered in our article about Granary Island).

The tour is guided by 3D moving holograms of figures linked to the old port — a Hanseatic merchant, a customs officer, and an innkeeper — enhanced with 3D mapping, panoramic screens, and interactive stations. You’ll see recreated interiors inspired by 17th-century paintings, including a customs chamber and a port tavern, as well as an original mechanism: a wooden treadwheel that actually powered the crane. This combination leaves even visitors who usually skip historical museums impressed.

The visit takes about one hour — allow a bit more if you want to explore each room thoroughly, or less if you’re moving quickly between floors.

Tickets and Hours

The prices below are from the official nmm.pl price list—treat them as approximate and check for updates before your visit, as museums adjust their pricing seasonally.

Wednesdays are free entry days for the Crane — however, on this day the museum is open shorter, so free admission may not be worth it if you plan to explore at a relaxed pace all day. A group supervisor (one person per ten participants) pays a symbolic one-złoty fee.

Hours vary between locations—the Crane opens earlier than the main building at Ołowianka:

Ticket offices close, and the last admission to exhibits is possible 60 minutes before closing. The above hours are seasonal (current as of September 6, 2026)—after this date, check whether the schedule has changed.

NMM Branches and Combined Ticket

The Crane is just one of several Gdańsk branches of the National Maritime Museum, so before buying a ticket, it’s worth deciding how much time you really have:

• Ołowianka — the museum’s main headquarters, housed in three historic granaries on the island of the same name, featuring four floors of exhibitions on maritime history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
• Sołdek — a ship-museum moored at Ołowianka, the first built in post-war Poland and launched in 1948 as the first Polish coal carrier. You can explore it inside—engine room, galley, crew cabins.
• Ośrodek Kultury Morskiej (OKM) — an interactive branch near the Crane, a great choice for families; some exhibits have adjustable sound and light levels for sensory-sensitive guests.

A combined ticket makes sense if you plan to see more than just the crane—there’s only a few dozen zloty difference between a single ticket and one that includes Ołowianka and Sołdek, saving you from buying separate tickets at two different boxes.

Ferry across the Motława – the fastest route to Ołowianka

Between the pier by the Crane (and actually the Maritime Culture Centre right next to it) and Ołowianka Island runs the Motława passenger ferry — the current vessel has been in service since 1987, though a crossing at this location reportedly dates back to the 17th century. A one-way trip costs 4 zł, with ferries departing every 15 minutes and accommodating up to 50 passengers. This is definitely faster than taking the long detour on foot across the bridge on Stągiewnej Street.

The ferry operates seasonally and can be weather-dependent — check the current schedule and operating days directly at nmm.pl or at the Żuraw ticket office before your visit to avoid waiting unnecessarily at the pier.

How Much Time to Plan and What to Combine

• The Crane alone: about an hour.
• The Crane + ferry + Ołowianka (Museum + Sołdek): realistically 2–3 hours, if you’re not rushing through any of the exhibits.
• A full day along the Motława river: The Crane in the morning, lunch on Long Embankment, afternoon at Ołowianka and by the Sołdek.

The Crane naturally connects with the rest of sightseeing in the Main Town — it’s literally the last stop → Royal Route if you’re walking from Wyżynna Gate toward the water. The bridge right next to the Crane leads to → Granary Island — just a few minutes’ walk, a great way to end your afternoon with views of the river at sunset. In season, boats also depart from nearby Zielona Brama for → boat trips on the Bay of Gdańsk, which pass by the Crane before heading toward Westerplatte. If you’re still planning your entire stay, check out → Best Attractions in Gdansk for priorities on subsequent days.

Accessibility — with a stroller or wheelchair

The Crane (Żuraw) is a historic building with exhibits spread across several floors connected by stairs—official museum information does not clearly state whether there is an elevator or how accessible the site is for wheelchair users. If you’re traveling with limited mobility or a baby stroller, call the museum before your visit (+48 58 301 86 11) to ask about current accessibility options—safer than relying on it at the site. The Maritime Culture Centre, being newer and designed from scratch, usually works better for guests with strollers.

Where to Park and Stay Overnight

The Crane is located right in the heart of the Main Town, so driving there means entering the paid City Centre Parking Zone — if you’re leaving your car for the whole day, a covered parking lot is more convenient than searching for a spot along the waterfront.

Closest to The Crane, on the same side of the Motława river, is Bastion Wałowa — just a few minutes’ walk through the Main Town, without needing to take a tram. This is the ideal location from which you can reach The Crane, Granary Island, and the entire Royal Route on foot at any time of day, without planning your transport.

→ Bastion Wałowa District
→ View Mint Apartments near Motława

---

Planning a day focused on The Crane and the Motława waterfront? Contact our concierge with your stay dates, and we’ll select an apartment closest to the Main Town and advise you on connecting The Crane with the rest of the museum sites without unnecessary ferry waits. Contact the concierge.