Visitors Guide for Stadskraan Utrecht

This Crane was part of the way commerce and trade worked in medieval Utrecht (1400 onwards), together with the ‘’Waag’’ (weighing facility). It allowed citizens and traders to transport goods on ships to shore and vice versa. It also allowed the city council to control trade and raise taxes. It was operated by manual labor, or better said: by people walking inside the two big wheels inside the crane. It still works that way and guides can not only explain history, importance and function, but also (safely) operate the crane. Together with visitors!

Visitors usually do not plan a visit, but walk, float or ride by and take a look inside. So if you like to meet other people, like to tell a good story and like to demonstrate a big wooden machine, join us at Stadkraan Utrecht. Our visitors will most likely understand Dutch or English, so speaking either or both languages would be required.