Gdansk Port in the Past Centuries24.07.2002  Gdansk Crane built in the years 1442-1444 is the oldest preserved harbour crane in Europe. One of the biggest tourist attractions in Gdansk has also become a venue of the permanent exposition entitled "Gdansk from the 16th to 18th c. - Life of the Harbour Town" organised by the Central Maritime Museum.
 In various sections of the exhibition visitors can learn about different aspects of the old port's activity. Gdansk, a city of rich Hanzeatic traditions, is shown through the eyes of the crews of sailing ships arriving in the port in the past. The first section, "Navigation in the Port of Gdansk", presents the system of ships' movements while entering the port as well as connected with this problems and solutions which were on a par with European standards of that time. The next section - "Methods of Cargo Handling" - shows the technologies of cargo handling and storing in the port. The main type of cargo used to be grain, thus in the 17th c. over 300 granaries operated in Gdansk, all of which could accommodate about 200 thousand tonnes of grain. Ships were moored at the quays which in total were 3 km long.
The exposition "The Merchant's Office" recalls huge successes in trade achieved by the harbour city of Gdansk already centuries ago. The way this situation affected lives of Gdansk dwellers is presented by "A Room in a Burgher House". Another section, "Struggle for the Depth" concerns the problem of ensuring proper hydrographic conditions in the port over the centuries. The final part of the exhibition, "Supportive Craftsmanship of Boatbuilding" is devoted to shipyard traditions of Gdansk The exhibition introduces the visitors to the atmosphere of the old, harbour town. It presents a wide range of models of buildings, sailing ships and port machinery as well as old sea maps, paintings, furniture and many other historical exhibits. The exhibition is open daily in the summer season from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
after the season - Tue-Fri from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat and Sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: 67/68 Szeroka St., Gdansk    
|
