List of historical harbour cranes


The list of historical harbour cranes includes historical harbour cranes from the Middle Ages to the introduction of metal cranes in the Industrial Revolution during the 19th century. Modern reconstructions are also listed.
NameLocationCountryRiverCommentMaterialImage
Żuraw Gdańsk (Danzig)Poland Motława (Mottlau)1367, modification 1442–1444; oldest crane in the formerly German-speaking areaStone and wood
Stadskraan UtrechtNetherlandsOudegracht1402, treadwheeled city crane mainly used for wine barrels, several times upgraded, rebuilt on another location after it collapsed in 1837.Wood/stone
Alter KrahnenTrierGermanyMosel1413, in service until 1910, two booms, one to attach a counterweightStone
RheinkranBingenGermanyRhine1487, renovated in 1819, in service until 1890; after comprehensive renovation back in service since 2008Wood
Alter KrahnenAndernachGermanyRhine1554–1561, in service until 1911Stone
Oestricher KranOestrich-WinkelGermanyRhine1744–1745, in service until 1926Wood
Mastekran CopenhagenDenmarkHolmen, harbour1748-1751 by Philip de Lange; for mounting masts to large sailing vesselsStone and wood
Styckekranen StockholmSwedenMälarenBuilt in 1751, it replaced another crane from 1647. A historic monument since 1935, it was damaged in a fire in 1978 but restored.Wood, iron cladding
Alter KranenWürzburgGermanyMain1767–1773 by Franz Neumann, two booms, each with chain and hookStone
ZollkranTrierGermanyMosel1774, in service until 1900, two booms, one to attach a counterweightStone
Alter KranenMarktbreitGermanyMainca. 1750 ; rebuilt after the 1784 ice flood, in service til 1900Stone
Alter Krahn
Alter Salzkran
LüneburgGermanyIlmenau1379; reconstructed in 1797 after ice flood, in service until 1860Wood
Harbour craneRostockGermanyLower Warnowfirst crane in the 16th century; reconstruction from an 18th-century craneWood
Alter SalzkranStadeGermanySchwinge1661, in 1898 demolished, in 1977 reconstructed on the model of the Alter Krahn in LüneburgWood
Alter SaarkranSaarbrückenGermanySaar1762 by F.-J. Stengel, 1784 renovated; ruined state after 1865; reconstructed in 1989Wood
Havenkraan, HanzekraanBrugesBelgiumKraanplein
1288, rebuilt in 1434, in service til 1767; modern small-scale reconstruction of the medieval crane at Brugge harbour depicted, two treadwheels;Wood