The Old Crane (Alter Krahnen), Trier

The Old Crane, or Alter Krahnen, stands as the oldest crane in Trier, and a significant historical marker along the Moselle River's right bank at Krahnenufer. Built in 1413, this harbor crane represents a remarkable feat of medieval engineering, crafted from stone and designed to lift one to two tons of cargo to support Trier’s bustling riverfront trade. Its structure features two massive tread wheels, a double-arm, and a 360° rotating cone roof that allows efficient cargo handling, propelled entirely by human muscle power within the tread wheels.

Initially constructed to replace a less stable pontoon crane, the Old Crane was essential for the economic and industrial growth in Trier, especially during the Middle Ages. The introduction of land-based cranes like this enabled more consistent loading and unloading of goods without depending on the river’s fluctuating water levels. For nearly five centuries, the crane helped load and monitor taxable goods entering and leaving the city.

By the 18th century, the Old Crane underwent renovations, gaining a second cantilever arm to improve functionality. It inspired the design of the Zollkran, or customs crane, installed about 250 meters upstream to relieve the load on its predecessor. Although the Old Crane remains fully operational, modern changes to the riverbank have left it too far from the water to serve its original purpose, but it continues to be a landmark of Trier’s economic heritage and one of the oldest preserved cranes in the former German-speaking territories.