Wind Vane has returned atop the Crane. This is a symbolic halfway mark of the renovation of the historic port crane

Publication date: 16 August 202316 August 2023

– The National Maritime Museum is a good example and symbol how museums develop in Poland – said prof. dr hab. Piotr Gliński – Minister for Culture and National Heritage, during his visit to the construction site of the Gdańsk Crane. The visit of government representative referred to the ceremony of the restored wind vane reassembly. The Deputy Prime Minister personally assessed the progress of works and thanked the museologists for their involvement in modernizing such an important historic treasure.

Symbolic Meaning of Wind Vane Reassembly

This year marks exactly 30 years since the day of installing the wind vane on the roof of the Crane for the first time after World War II; therefore, its renovation and return to its place indicate a symbolic closure of a certain historical chapter. At the same time, the wind vane reassembly nearly marks the moment when in a year, as it is expected, the project entitled: „Conservation, renovation and modernization of the Gdańsk Crane – a branch of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk along with organizing a new permanent exhibition” will have been completed.
– I am glad that everything goes so smoothly. The modernization of the Gdańsk Crane cost ca. PLN 18 million, including over PLN 5 million directly from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and the remaining part – from the funds of the European Economic Area, at the disposal of the Ministry of Culture – said prof. Piotr Gliński.

Handshake between the Minister of Culture and National Heritage and the Director of the NMM. Photo: Paweł Jóźwiak

Work on Schedule

Until now, the works aimed to deepening the cellars have been completed, waterproofing of the walls has been performed, and all ceilings and reinforced concrete stairs have been replaced. The roofing of both towers was replaced, and the roofs received new tiles. At the same time, a wide range of internal and external conservation works was performed, including the historical brick surfaces and the lift wooden elements. Currently, e.g., tiles are laid on the roof of the central part of the structure – a wooden lifting mechanism. – Concurrently, in connection with the signing of the contract for the permanent exhibition construction, arrangements are made to coordinate the construction works with the new permanent exhibition installation works – says dr Robert Domżał, Director of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk. The narration of the new permanent exhibition covers the city port life in the glorious times and the history of trade between Gdańsk residents and merchants from other European cities. The entire project shall be completed in spring 2024.

The crane-shaped wind vane in all its glory after the reassembly. Photo: Karol Treder

The project “Maintenance, renovation and modernization of the Gdańsk Crane – a branch of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk with the creation of a new permanent exhibition” is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants and Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.