Handling device for handling a workpiece during a shaping process, in particular a forging process, comprising: a) at least one gripping device having at least two gripping elements (30, 31) that can move relative to one another for grasping the workpiece, b) at least one transporting device for transporting the gripping device or for transporting at least one carrier device, to which the gripping device is fastened or can be fastened, c) at least one rotary drive for rotating the gripping device about an axis of rotation that extends through the gripping device, d) the gripping device or the at least one carrier device, to which the gripping device is fastened or can be fastened, on the one hand and the transporting device on the other hand being flexibly connected to one another in a flexible state and being substantially rigidly connected to one another, or rigidly positioned in relation to one another, at least in one spatial direction and/or in every rotational position of the gripping device, in a rigid state, e) the gripping device or the carrier device on the one hand and the transporting device on the other hand being connected to one another by way of at least one flexible element (7, 71 to 74) and in the flexible state only being connected by way of the flexible element and in the rigid state being supported by way of at least one supporting device substantially on one another or against one another while bridging the flexible element, characterized in that: f) the gripping device and/or the carrier device in the supported state are or is supported in a supporting bearing of the supporting device and g) the supporting bearing of the supporting device forms a rotary bearing for the gripping device and/or the carrier device, in which the gripping device and/or the carrier device rotates or is rotatable when the gripping device rotates. a) at least one gripping device having at least two gripping elements (30, 31) that can move relative to one another for grasping the workpiece, b) at least one transporting device for transporting the gripping device or for transporting at least one carrier device, to which the gripping device is fastened or can be fastened, c) at least one rotary drive for rotating the gripping device about an axis of rotation that extends through the gripping device, d) the gripping device or the at least one carrier device, to which the gripping device is fastened or can be fastened, on the one hand and the transporting device on the other hand being flexibly connected to one another in a flexible state and being substantially rigidly connected to one another, or rigidly positioned in relation to one another, at least in one spatial direction and/or in every rotational position of the gripping device, in a rigid state, e) the gripping device or the carrier device on the one hand and the transporting device on the other hand being connected to one another by way of at least one flexible element (7, 71 to 74) and in the flexible state only being connected by way of the flexible element and in the rigid state being supported by way of at least one supporting device substantially on one another or against one another while bridging the flexible element, characterized in that: f) the gripping device and/or the carrier device in the supported state are or is supported in a supporting bearing of the supporting device and g) the supporting bearing of the supporting device forms a rotary bearing for the gripping device and/or the carrier device, in which the gripping device and/or the carrier device rotates or is rotatable when the gripping device rotates.