Discover Traditional Windmills: Iconic Dutch Landmarks

Introduction

Windmills are an iconic fixture of the Dutch landscape, having been used in the Netherlands for centuries. With their giants sails and bright colors, the windmills of Holland exemplify the country’s ingenious use of wind power and its history as a seafaring nation. Let’s explore the fascinating history, architecture, and cultural importance of these spinning giants.

Types of Windmills

There are various types of traditional windmills found across the Netherlands. The three main types are grain mills, sawmills, and powder mills.

Grain Mills

Grain mills consist of a series of gears and a grindstone and were mainly used for milling grain into flour. During the 17th and 18th centuries, there were thousands of grain mills enabling the Netherlands to become a leading producer of cereals in Europe. Even in areas without access to fast-flowing water for water mills, windmills allowed grain to be efficiently ground.

Sawmills

Sawmills were wooden windmills with large blades specially designed for sawing timber into planks and boards. The Netherlands historically had extensive forests and shipbuilding industries, creating a great need for sawn wood. Sawmills were common near Amsterdam’s shipyards during the 17th century Golden Age.

Powder Mills

Powder windmills used similar gear-driven machinery to produce gunpowder and other industrial powders like spices and paints. These were some of the earliest industrial windmills, enabling the mass production of gunpowder for firearms and cannons by the military.

Unique Architecture and Design

Dutch windmills have a distinctly recognizable architecture adapted to their environment and function.

Placement and Structure

Windmills were strategically erected at optimum locations to maximize wind exposure. Usually circular or octagonal in shape, mills were often built on man-made earthen mounds to elevate them above structures and allow the wind to pass underneath the sails. Their thatched roofs form steep slopes to help rainwater run off easily.

Sails and Mechanics

Early windmills had four common sails while later mills increased to six or eight sails for greater power. The sails are horizonally mounted and can be turned into the wind. Inside, wooden gears connect the wind-powered sails to vertical shafts powering the millstones and machinery. Windmills perform all the grinding, sawing and production autonomously once the sails are set.

Preservation and Restoration

Many windmills still standing have been preserved as cultural monuments and some have even been restored to working order. Regular maintenance keeps the old wooden gears and sails functional. Modern mills may add electric motors but techniques like thatching and woodworking are preserved.

Cultural Significance

Windmills have become icons of Dutch culture and landscape. They represent Dutch ingenuity and are instilled with national pride.

National Icon and Symbol

Windmills dotted across the flat pastoral lands are quintessential scenes of the classic Dutch landscape. Their giant sails are instantly recognizable symbols of the Netherlands. Images of windmills are popular in art and merchandising aimed at tourists.

Museums and Windmill Villages

Many windmills operate as museums allowing visitors to go inside and see all the machinery up close. At villages like Zaanse Schans you can see clusters of historical windmills and traditional crafts still being practiced. These museums and villages enable locals and tourists alike to appreciate this unique aspect of Dutch heritage.

Notable Windmills

Let’s look at some of the most well-known windmills around the Netherlands.

Molen de Adriaan

Molen de Adriaan is a prominent tower mill and former sawmill in the old town of Haarlem. At over 80 feet high, it is one of the tallest windmills in the country. After burning down in 1932, the current mill was rebuilt and restored based on 17th century drawings.

De Gooyer

De Gooyer is an octagonal tower mill built in 1779 overlooking Amsterdam. Originally used as a malt mill, it lost its sails in 1902 and later became a nationally recognized monument. The prominent landmark now contains a hotel and restaurant.

De Otter

De Otter is an working sawmill dating from 1631 near Amsterdam that still demonstrates how timber was traditionally sawn using wind power. Visitors can watch the giant saw blades in action converting logs into planks.

Visiting the Windmills

When visiting the Netherlands windmills should be on any itinerary. Here are some tips to make the most of your windmill viewing.

Best Places and Routes

Some top spots to see clusters of windmills include Kinderdijk, home to 19 majestic mills, and Zaanse Schans with its collection of preserved historic mills and Dutch village setting. Driving along the dykes of Noord Holland you’ll encounter countless scenic mills.

Tips for Photographers

The best light for capturing photos of windmills is often early morning or late afternoon. Try composing your shots using windmills as the main subject against dramatic cloudy skies. For a sense of motion, photograph the sails spinning.

Conclusion

With their ingenious use of wind power and iconic architecture adapted to the Dutch landscape, windmills have become internationally recognized national symbols of the Netherlands and its seafaring heritage. Visiting these preserved giants is a wonderful way to experience the country’s history and culture. The majestic windmills still dotting the pastoral Dutch countryside serve as both monuments to past generations and living reminders of the Netherlands’ close connection with the sea and winds.

FAQs

1. When were windmills first built in the Netherlands?

   The earliest windmills appeared in the Netherlands in the late 12th century, with increasing numbers constructed throughout the Middle Ages into the 17th century.

2. How many windmills are still standing in the Netherlands today?

   It is estimated there are around 1,200 windmills still standing in the Netherlands currently. Many are preserved and some remain functional.

3. What are some of the different types of Dutch windmills?

   Common types include grain mills for producing flour, sawmills for sawing timber, and powder mills for producing gunpowder and spices. There are also drainage mills to pump water and industrial mills.

4. Where are the best places to see windmills in the Netherlands?

   Top spots include Kinderdijk, home to a large collection of historic mills, Zaanse Schans with its windmill village setting, and the Noord Holland region with its iconic dyke roads lined with windmills.

5. Can you go inside most windmills in the Netherlands?

   Many windmills operate as museums allowing visitors inside to see the machinery and learn about windmill history. However, privately owned mills may not offer public access inside.