Alter Kran, Bingen

Name: Alter Kran
Address: Bingen, Germany

#5 among attractions in Bingen

Sightseeing

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Map

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Facts and practical information

The Old Bingen Rhine Crane is a wooden tower treadle crane in Bingen on the Rhine dating from around 1787. The harbor crane with rotating jib and domed roof stands next to the former customs administration on the former harbor site.

The crane house is a half-timbered construction made of oak beams, the outer walls consist of wooden boarding. The rotating, bell-shaped crane dome is slate-roofed and finished with a tower sphere. The boom consists of a massive oak beam together with supporting beams and is covered with lead foil. Already in the 15th century a crane is handed down here. An inscription found in 2007 on a pedestal stone indicates that the foundation stone was laid on August 7, 1487. It is said to have been built in only 78 days.

The wooden structure of the current crane could be dendrochronologically dated to 1785-87. After a further renovation in 1819, the crane was decommissioned in the second half of the 19th century. The structure was saved from demolition in 1907 by the new monument protection law in force at the time. Badly damaged during the Second World War, the crane was restored from 1950. In 2005, a comprehensive restoration was carried out. In 2007, a water basin with a connection to the Rhine was built in front of the crane.

The crane was driven by human power via two large running wheels. The upper part of the dome with the load arm could be turned by two to four crane servants via a large lever. Primarily, wine, salt and grain were loaded here. Bingen had the stacking rights for the latter two. With the Oestricher Kran in the Rheingau and the Andernacher Alten Krahnen 90 kilometers downstream, it is the last pedal crane on the banks of the Rhine.

Since June 2008, it has been possible to experience the crane in operation. Demonstrations can be booked through the Bingen Tourist Information Office, during which members of the Bingen am Rhein Monument Society show the "Old Crane" in its function. Wine barrels are hoisted from land to water and vice versa.

The Rhine Crane has been part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.

Coordinates: 49°58'12"N, 7°54'9"E

Address

Bingen Germany

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Day trips

Alter Kran – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Niederwalddenkmal, Burg Klopp, Mäuseturm, Brömserburg.

0.8 miN
Historic monument offering hilltop views
Niederwalddenkmal, Rüdesheim
20 min walk • The Niederwalddenkmal stands majestically above the vineyards of Rüdesheim am Rhein in Germany, a towering monument that celebrates the unification of the country. Erected in the late 19th century, this impressive structure is a beacon of national pride and a...
0.4 miSW
Forts and castles
Burg Klopp, Bingen
10 min walk • Perched on a hill above the quaint town of Bingen am Rhein, Burg Klopp is a testament to Germany's rich medieval heritage. This imposing castle, with its robust stone walls and commanding presence, offers visitors a glimpse into the storied past of the region.
1 miW
Waterfront fortress and ex-signal station
Mäuseturm, Bingen
26 min walk • The Mouse Tower is a stone tower on a small island in the Rhine, outside Bingen am Rhein, Germany.
0.9 miNE
Museum
Brömserburg, Rüdesheim
22 min walk • The Brömserburg is located near the banks of the Rhine in the town of Rüdesheim am Rhein in Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis in the German state of Hesse. Its original structure was probably one of the first stone castles in the Rhine Gorge, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1 miNW
Castle ruins, visible from hiking path
Ehrenfels Castle, Rüdesheim
26 min walk • Ehrenfels Castle is a ruined hillside castle above the Rhine Gorge near the town of Rüdesheim am Rhein in Hesse, Germany. It is located on the steep eastern bank of the river amid extended vineyards. The grape variety Ehrenfelser is named after the castle.
1.1 miE
Church
Rochuskapelle
28 min walk • The Rochuskapelle is a picturesque chapel located in Germany, serving as a place of religious worship and a local landmark. Although its exact date of construction is not clearly established, it is known that its history dates back centuries, witnessing many...
1.1 miNE
Historical place, Sacred and religious sites, Church
St. Jakobus, Rüdesheim
30 min walk • St. Jakobus is a Catholic church and a former parish in Rüdesheim am Rhein, Hesse, Germany. It dates back to the 10th century, was expanded around 1400, and again in 1913/14. The church was severely damaged by bombing in World War II, and rebuilt from 1947 to 1956. It is a listed historic monument and serves also as a concert venue.
0.5 miSW
Church, Gothic architecture
Basilika St. Martin, Bingen
13 min walk • The Basilica of St. Martin also called Bingen am Rhein Basilica Is the main catholic church of the city of Bingen am Rhein, in Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. The church is located on the bank of the Nahe.
0.9 miNE
Forts and castles
Boosenburg, Rüdesheim
23 min walk • The Boosenburg is a lowland castle in Rüdesheim am Rhein, Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis, Hesse, Germany, located in the Rhine valley and dating back to the 12th century. It is locally known as Oberburg in relation to the near and slightly lower Brömserburg. It has been part of the Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site from 2002.
1.2 miS
Forts and castles
Trutzbingen, Bingen
31 min walk • Trutzbingen is the ruin of a round tower on the road leaving Münster-Sarmsheim in the direction of Bingen am Rhein It is the remnant of a tariff barrier, which was built in 1493. Only one half of the outer wall of the round tower remains.
0.7 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Rock
Bertha of Bingen, Bingen
17 min walk • Saint Bertha of Bingen was the mother of Rupert of Bingen. Her biography was written, and subsequently her cult popularized, by Hildegard of Bingen, who lived in the same region, about four hundred years later. Bertha and Rupert share a feast day on 15 May.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Alter Kran?

Nearby attractions include Raab Karcher-Laufkran, Bingen (6 min walk), Jazzclub Binger Bühne, Bingen (7 min walk), Burg Klopp, Bingen (10 min walk), Basilika St. Martin, Bingen (13 min walk).