Kinderdijk, Netherlands

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

These windmills, built in the 18th century served to pump water up and over a dike, reclaiming farmland from marshes ('polder'). Several are still in operable condition. The mill keeper typically lived in the mill.

The canvas over the mill blades catches wind. The amount of canvas deployed is taylored to the wind speed that day.

 

 

The structure opposite the blades is for rotating the mill to face the wind. There is a wheel on the bottom of it, and posts to tie it in place.

 

This diesel powered pumping station now replaces the function of the windmills.

Netherlands, Belgium, Paris 2009 Index

Travel Index

home