You can discover the largest and most impressive collection pieces of the MAS at the Scheldt quays, free of charge. There you will find the largest museum collection of harbor cranes in the world. And just in front of the door of the MAS you almost bump into the showpiece of our collection: the oldest crane in the collection. On the Scheldt quays you can admire 12 of the 18 gigantic museum cranes of the MAS. This is the largest museum collection of harbor cranes in the world. The oldest crane dates from 1907, the youngest from 1963. The cranes were built by 15 different renowned manufacturers from home and abroad and show the rapid technological evolution in the port of the last century. Most cranes were protected as monuments. Take a walk there and discover these giants of the old port. You will find the collection on the Rijnkaai, near Hangar 26 and 27.

All Antwerp residents now know the location of the old harbor cranes. During Open Monument Day 2021, the opportunity was offered to visit and even enter the cranes in the company of experienced guides. I noted that the very first crane was already installed in our port in 1263. The first stone crane was placed in 1546 and from then on, improved techniques and materials followed. First came the wooden cranes, then the iron, steam, water press. and the electric taps. The quantities of cranes also grew rapidly from 300 in 1880 to 595 in 1931. In 1974 it was considered to keep 1 copy per type and bring it together in a kind of open museum on the Scheldt. Wonderful idea because this beautiful group now forms the most diverse and largest collection in the world. Antwerp can rightly be proud of this.

Anyone who likes industrial history will find it. Great area with lots of beach bars in the area to hang out. There are also some big boats passing by.

Definitely worth taking a look

Beautiful place where these cranes are displayed on the banks of the Scheldt

The largest museum collection of harbor cranes in the world. The very first crane in the port of Antwerp In 1263 there is the first mention of a crane in the port of Antwerp. The city council then made a wooden tread crane available to the trade. Meanwhile, this service has been continued uninterrupted by the city for 750 years. The oldest crane of the MAS, just outside the door. The oldest crane in the collection of the MAS is a 10-tonne hand crane from the German manufacturer Stuckenholz. The city of Antwerp bought this crane in 1884 for handling heavy loads and assembling shore cranes. In 2011 it was restored by Werkvormm vzw and the volunteers of the MAS. A showpiece from the MAS collection, which can be admired every day. Don't just walk past it. MAS book '750 Years of Port Cranes in Antwerp'. This book, full of clever illustrations, gives enthusiasts a unique overview of the history of 750 port cranes in Antwerp. Specialists describe the evolutions in cranes and port construction and the essential linking function of these cranes between quay and ship. Fancy more? Take a look at our MAS shop.

Nice place to stay.

You pass it by water bus

Sleep tight, dear Belgian friends!

It is very nice that the industrial heritage, the harbor cranes, have retained their characteristic place along the quay of the Scheldt in Antwerp.

Interesting place with these beautiful old port cranes.

Recommended for photo tourists, I don't need something like that, but you can see that in itself.

(Translated by Google) Impressive. (Original) Indrukwekkend.

(Translated by Google) Nice piece of history of the port. (Original) Mooi stukje geschiedenis van de haven.

(Translated by Google) Cranes built by Figee from my hometown Haarlem (Original) Kranen gebouwd door Figee uit mijn geboortestad Haarlem

(Translated by Google) Industrial, ancient cranes from bygone times ... (Original) Industrieel, oude kranen uit vervlogen tijd...

(Translated by Google) Photogenic. Beautiful location on the Scheldt. (Original) Fotogeniek. Prachtige ligging aan de schelde.