A lifting device (1) for lifting and lowering a load comprises a supporting structure (2), which comprises a bottom structure (3) capable of being fastened to a room floor and a top structure (21) connected to the bottom structure (3) and arranged at a vertical distance thereabove. A lifting drum (28) and a drive (30), by which the lifting drum (28) can be set in rotation in both directions, are arranged in the vicinity of the bottom structure (3). At least one flexible traction means (32 to 37) is secured by one end to the lifting drum (28), has a section running from the lifting drum (28) to the top structure (21) and is led over at least one deflection roller (38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 53) rotatably mounted on the top structure (21). At its other end, a holding arrangement (40) for the load is provided. Thus, only those elements which do not normally need any maintenance or repair at all are to be provided on the top structure (21), which is relatively difficult to get at. Elements which may occasionally require maintenance or repair, in particular the lifting drum (28) and the drive (30), are easily accessible in the vicinity of the bottom structure (3).