The Netherlands has for hundreds of years, had a much bigger presence on the world stage than would be expected based on its diminutive land mass. This relates primarily to the lingering effects of colonialism, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands was spread around the globe. The remnants of those historical Dutch footprints are still highly visible in countries as far reaching as Indonesia, Surinam, South Africa and in places like New York (once named New Amsterdam).
Even today, the Netherlands continues to have an impact on international politics due to its sizeable economy, its key geographic location as an entry way into Europe and for its sometimes controversial political stances on topics ranging from government funded healthcare to legal prostituition and tolerance of soft drugs.
Despite the development of the country into one of the most modern and technologically advanced, there is one iconic image which comes to mind when someone mentions the name Holland… the windmill. The Netherlands has more historic windmills (i.e. those built primarily before the Industrial Revolution) still dotting the landscape than any other country in the world. Almost all of which have been granted monument status, ensuring government involvement (and funding) in their care and upkeep. They may not provide the same windpower which was originally harnassed for purposes like draining polders, grinding grains or cutting lumber, but their monetary importance to the national economy plays as important a role today albeit for a completely different reason; being key assets upon which the large Dutch tourism industry is built.
If windmills are more populous in the Netherlands than anywhere else on the planet (1,196 of them), it might also be helpful to know that more of these iconic structures are located in Zuid Holland than any of the other 11 Dutch provinces; almost 20% remain standing in our region.
For international residents and tourists to Holland, the sighting of one of these historic Dutch windmill is often cause for excitement, after all, as human beings we all tend to be intrigued by things which are unfamiliar to us.
For our fourth monthly Top 10, has chosen windmills as our subject. The following is a list of our choices for the Top 10 windmills in Zuid Holland to see and visit. We took the following factors into consideration: 1) the windmill’s age, 2) its size, 3) whether it is open to the public, and 4) accessibility (location) for visitors.
Here are our choices for Zuid Holland’s 10 Best Windmills to Visit (in no particular order)
1) DE VALK WINDMILL (Leiden) – no other windmill in South Holland can match the prime location of this one, right in the heart of Leiden’s historic city center, walking distance from Leiden Centraal train station. The windmill, built in 1743, is 7-stories high but seems even taller because it sits atop a small hill. De Valk is open to visitors weekly from Tue to Sun. More info.
De Valk Windmill (Leiden)
2) DE NOORD WINDMILL (Schiedam) – the tallest windmill in our Top 10 list, it happens to be the only one which houses a cafe inside of it (Restaurant De Noordmolen). From base to tip of the sail is 11 stories. Like De Valk, this is also a stage mill built for grinding grains into flour. The windmill restaurant is open from noon Mon to Fri and from 17:00 on Saturday. More info.
De Noord Windmill (Schiedam)
3) DE NEDERWAARD MUSEUM WINDMILL (Kinderdijk) – built in 1738, this windmill is one of 5 Nederwaard mills and has been converted into a museum. The living quarters inside appear exactly as they did when the last true “miller” departed in the 1950′s. Historic photos can be seen in the museum along with the exposed internal elements of the mill. The windows on the third floor offer a view across the entire Kinderdijk park. De Nederwaard Museum Windmill is open 7 days a week during the high season (April to October) and on weekends during the off season (November to March). More info.
De Nederwaard Museum Windmill (Kinderdijk)
4) DE SALAMANDER WINDMILL (Leidschendam) – A stage mill built in 1777 for sawing lumber. It was located a short distance away for most of its 200 years, before being diassembled and put into storage (1985) while funds were raised for its renovation. A few years later (1989), it was reassembled in its currently location, along with the necessary refurbishments (completed in 1990). De Salamander Windmill can be visited on Wed 14:00-16:00, and Sat 10:00-16:00. More info.
De Salamander windmill (Leidschendam)
5) DE ROOS WINDMILL (Delft) – Another centrally located windmill (similar to De Valk), this one situated along the original city wall of the city of Delft. Due to the construction of the underground rail tunnel through this part of Delft, the windmill had to be moved out of the way in 2011. It remained visible while it was stored on the side of the construction zone, albeit with contracted arms. Earlier this year, the windmill was moved to its new permanent location. More info.
De Roos Windmill (Delft)
6) DE VLIEGER WINDMILL (Voorburg) – One of only two ground sailer windmills in our Top 10 list, De Vlieger is also one of the oldest, built in 1621. It was moved from its original location to the current one in 1989. De Vlieger Windmill can be visited during the high season (April to October) on Wed and Sat 13:30-16:30. It can be reached on foot from either the Voorburg or Leidschendam-Voorburg train stations. More info.
De Vlieger Windmill (Voorburg)
7) DE LELIE and DE STER WINDMILLS (Rotterdam) – Located next to one another and known as the lake mills, these two windmills sit on the banks of Rotterdam’s Kralingse Plas, adjacent to the forest. De Lily (built in 1840) and De Ster (built in1968, replacing prior one built in 1865 which burned in 1962) can both be visited on the second Saturday of each month between 10:00-16:00. More info.
De Lelie & De Ster Windmills (Rotterdam)
8) KYCK OVER DEN DIJK WINDMILL (Dordrecht) – the last remaining windmill in the historic city of Dordrecht, this circular brick tower stage mill was built in 1731. It is a 20 minute walk, 10 minute bike ride or 5 minute bus ride from the Dordrecht train station. It can be visited on Saturdays from 10:00-16:00. More info.
Kyck over den Dijk Windmill (Dordrecht)
9) DE KEUKENHOF WINDMILL (Lisse) – First built in 1892, this windmill was moved to and reassembled in the Keukenhof gardens in 1957, donated as a gift from Holland America Lines. It is not functional, but does offer an inside view of the original mill, as well as birdseye views across the tulip fields and the rest of the park. It can be visited during tulip season when Keukenhof gardens is open (third week of March through third week of May each year). More info.
De Keukenhof Windmill (Lisse)
10) ‘t SLOT WINDMILL (Gouda) – located on the south side of the “island” of Gouda, ‘t Slot is a stage windmill built in 1832 to grind grains into flour. It is the third mill located on this spot, replacing one which had been destroyed by fire the previous year. ‘t Slot Windmill is only open by appointment (Miller: Henny Noorlander, Tel: 018 252 4655). More info.
‘t Slot Windmill (Gouda)