Lüneburger Hafenkran, Historic harbour crane in Lüneburg, Germany
The Lüneburger Hafenkran is a wooden hoisting machine with an octagonal base located along the Ilmenau river in the old town. Its structure features a stationary lower section and a rotating upper part covered with copper plating, which workers once operated using foot-powered treadwheels.
Written records of the crane first appear in 1330, making it one of the oldest structures in the city. It was rebuilt in 1797 following flood damage and continued to serve the port for cargo operations until the mid-1800s.
The crane embodies the port traditions that shaped this town's identity, where workers turned large treadwheels by foot to hoist cargo from ships. It reflects how people once worked together in physical labor to keep trade flowing.
The crane stands directly at the water's edge near Stintmarkt and is easily reached on foot from the city center. Visitors can view the structure from outside and explore the surrounding waterfront area without needing any special preparation or equipment.
In 1840, workers used this crane to lift a 9.3-ton English steam locomotive destined for the Brunswick State Railway from a ship. This feat demonstrates how much lifting power this medieval invention still possessed even as the industrial age was beginning.
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