Zuraw

Zuraw, the Crane, is the landmark that defines the Gdansk waterfront. It is a huge medieval port crane on the Motlawa river, a tall brick gate flanked by two wooden housings that lean out over the water. It is the largest medieval port crane in Europe, and it now forms part of the National Maritime Museum.

The Crane is the single most recognisable building on the river and the anchor of any walk along the Royal Route down to the water. Outside it costs nothing to admire and photograph. Inside, it is part of a maritime museum that explains how the port worked and how the crane itself lifted cargo and stepped ships' masts.

The crane was human-powered. Inside the wooden housings are giant treadwheels, which workers turned by walking inside them, like a mill wheel, to wind up the load on a rope. Working this way it could lift heavy cargo, up to around two tonnes, and hoist masts into place on ships tied up alongside. It was a working part of the port for centuries, a gate and a crane in one.

A crane has stood on this spot since the Middle Ages. The structure you see was built in the 15th century, rebuilt after a fire, and it served the port through the height of the city's Baltic trade. Like most of the waterfront it was badly damaged in 1945 and reconstructed afterwards, with the treadwheel mechanism restored.

A few minutes to see it from the outside and take photographs. Allow thirty to sixty minutes if you go inside for the museum. The Maritime Museum has other buildings on both banks of the river, linked by a small ferry, which can turn it into a longer visit.

The Crane is on the Motlawa waterfront, on Szeroka, at the river end of the old town. From Dlugi Targ, walk through the Green Gate and turn left along the embankment. From the main railway station it is about fifteen minutes on foot. For wider transport, see the Gdansk guide.

The waterfront outside is flat and easy. The historic interior, with its old timber floors and the treadwheel level, involves stairs and is harder to access, so check the museum's official channels if this matters to you.

The Crane sits on the busiest stretch of the waterfront:

• The Motlawa embankment and the bridges across to Granary Island.
• St Mary's Basilica and the market streets, a couple of minutes inland.
• The riverside hotels and restaurants, including the Hilton just across the water by the fish market.

A crane has stood here since the Middle Ages, and the present structure dates from the 15th century. It is regarded as the largest medieval port crane in Europe.

Yes. The Crane is part of the National Maritime Museum, and the interior with its treadwheels can be visited when the museum is open. Check current hours before you go.