The Great Crane was the first home of the Museum, serving as its headquarters as well as a display and storeroom. It very soon transpired that the huge building was in fact too small for the expanding collections, exhibitions and staff.
During the last 45 years the old Crane attracted millions of visitors. Lately the exhibition “Gdansk from the 16th to the 18th century – the life of a port city” has been on display here, showing the role of the port for the Gdansk’s wealth as well as everyday care of proper maintenance of the port facilities and its functionality. The wooden mechanism has also been made accessible to visitors.
Fragments of the exhibition at the Crane:
Sail maker’s workshop
The Pile Tax Office
A merchant’s counting house
The store room
A room in a burger’s house
