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© Rolf Heinrich, Köln · CC BY 3.0

Kranhäuser (Crane Houses)

Three striking crane-shaped towers in the Rheinauhafen – a modern landmark of Cologne and a postcard motif on the Rhine.

ArchitectureRheinauhafenSkylinePhoto spot

The Kranhäuser (Crane Houses) in the Rheinauhafen are three towers around 62 metres high with an unmistakable shape: their cantilevered heads recall the historic harbour cranes and make them a modern landmark of Cologne.

Source: Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-06-24

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At a glance

  • Completed: from 2008
  • Location: Rheinauhafen, Altstadt-Süd
  • Form: a modern interpretation of the historic harbour crane
  • Use: offices and apartments

A new face on the Rhine

When the old Rheinauhafen lost its function, the city decided to transform it into a lively waterside quarter. The Kranhäuser are its architectural showpiece – inspired by the "Cloud Iron" of the avant-garde artist El Lissitzky. Today they shape the Cologne skyline and rank among the city's most photographed sights.

Gallery

© Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons
© Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons
© Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons
© Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons
© Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons
© Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons
© Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons
© Rolf Heinrich, Köln · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
© Eckhard Henkel · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Commons

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