On the second Saturday and Sunday in May, 950 windmills across the Netherlands open their doors in celebration of National Mill Day. No trip to the Netherlands would be complete without stopping by one the nation’s iconic windmills.
Fortunately, there are hundreds of these monumental machines dotted around the country, to help you narrow down your options, we’ve chosen six of the country’s most iconic windmills you won’t want to miss.
1. Kinderdijk
Located in the province of South Holland, Kinderdijk is home to the country’s most recognizable windmills. Built in the 18th-century, the network of 19 windmills is used as a water-management tool to prevent flooding. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the museums located in two of the windmills provide curious visitors with the full history. Kinderdijk is easily accessible by public transit, including the unique Waterbus. Leaving from the city centre of both Dordrecht and Rotterdam, you can take in the sights by boat.
2. Zaanse Schans
During the 17th century, the Zaanse Schans area was home to more than 600 windmills, creating the country’s first industrial zone. Today, eight of these perfectly preserved windmills still stand, allowing you to step back in time and experience what life here in the 17th century was like. In addition to the windmills, Zaanse Schans has a number of houses, museums, and shops, all maintained in the authentic Zaan style. And true to its name, you’ll find Heerlijck Slaapen op de Zaanse Schans nestled amongst the iconic windmills.
3. Schiedam
Schiedam is home to the world’s largest windmills, standing at heights of up to 33 metres. During the 18th and 19th century, the city made a name for itself as the jenever capital of the world. Thanks to the city’s windmills, which ground the wheat needed to make the jenever, the drink was easy to produce. Today, five of the original windmills remain. If you’re interested in learning more about the role that windmills played in Schiedam, visit the museum inside of De Nieuwe Palmboom windmill.
4. Amsterdam
Located on the edge of Amsterdam’s city centre is the Molen de Gooyer. Of the six original windmills left in Amsterdam, the Molen de Gooyer is regarded as being the tallest wooden windmill in the entire country.
5. Leiden
Built in 1785, the Molen de Valk is one of Leiden’s most recognizable landmarks. Unlikely many other windmills in the country that are either out of commission or repurposed, Leiden’s windmill is still doing the job it was built to do: grinding wheat into flour. You can even bring a bag of windmill-ground whole wheat flour home with you. While you’re there, make sure to check out the windmill's first floor where you’ll find the only remaining miller’s residence in the country.
6. Haarlem
Situated on the edge of the Spaarne River in the heart of Haarlem is the Molen de Adriaan. The windmill was built in 1778 on the foundations of the former fortification around the city. The mill was used in the production of building product such as cement and paint, but in 1802 a change of ownership saw it transformed into a tobacco mill. Though much of it was damaged during a fire in 1932, it was restored the following year and is thankfully still fully functional today.
