Windmills in Amsterdam: where to see them?

The center of Amsterdam was once cluttered with windmills.

They fulfilled a variety of functions.

They were used to prevent cities from flooding and to grind the seeds of the Dutch favourite condiment: mustard.

Today, seven of them remain, and I'd like to present them to you in detail.

Windmills in Amsterdam: article summary

Windmills in Amsterdam: the Sloten windmill

The Sloten windmill is the only one of Amsterdam's 8 windmills open to visitors. It is still in operation and, being a draining mill, is used to pump excess water from the surrounding area that was once Lake Haarlemmer (Haarlemmermeer).

If you'd like to take a look around, this is the place to be:

• every day 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except January 1, April 27 and December 25 and 26)

Le moulin De Gooyer

Kill two birds with one stone by visiting the Gooyer Mill. If you wish, you'll not only see Amsterdam's most iconic mill, but you'll also be able to sample one of Amsterdam's finest beers, brewed in the adjoining brewery.

The mill itself was built in 1725 and is the tallest wooden mill in the Netherlands. During its working life, it was used as a corn mill, but has not been in operation since it was taken down. damaged in a storm in 1972.

Amsterdam windmills: the Paltrok De Otter

Not far from the De Bloem mill is the small Paltrok De Otter mill. Built in 1631 as one of the many sawmills scattered around the region, it remained in operation until the early 1900s.

Due to Amsterdam's population growth and industrialization, all but the Otter sawmill were dismantled. The mill was restored in in perfect working order in the 1990s.

Unfortunately, the wind conditions in the area were not conducive to the operation of the mill. As a result, the owners proposed relocating the mill.

However, being a national monument, they had to ask the town council for permission. Several court cases later, the building remains, for the time being, at its current location.

Amsterdam windmills: Rieker windmill

No mill in Amsterdam seems to be in the right place. the same applies to the Riekermolen. Built in 1636 in the village of Sloten, just outside Amsterdam, the Riekermill was moved to its present location beside the Amstel River in 1961.

Like the Molen van Sloten, it's a drainage mill, but unlike its working cousin, this one no longer operates. Nevertheless, when the wind is right, the Riekermolen still turns and you can see it in action in the afternoon.

D'Admiraal

Board the ferry to Amsterdam Noord to visit the last chalk mill in the Netherlands. Built in 1792 to grind a volcanic stone from Germany's Eifel region, used to make mortar.

It was then used to grind chalk for putty. It was erected in the picturesque Buiksloota former village that is now part of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam windmills: the Bloem flour mill

Built in 1768, the Bloem flour mill was originally located in the Bloemgracht in the Jordaan. Like the Gooyer windmill, it is now in a windier location on the outskirts of town.

Today it is used as an office and can only be visited on special occasions. National Windmill Day.

The Zaanse Schans

Can't get enough of windmills and Dutch history? Then Zaanse Schans is perfect for you. A short train ride outside Amsterdam and you'll find the Zaanse Schans open-air museum.

Since 1961, historic mills, buildings and barns from the 18^e and 19^e centuries are found in this area outside Zaandam, creating both a thriving community and a living monument.

De Zaanse Schans is home to 8 windmills with famous names such as De Bonte Hen and Het Klaverblad. The mills served a variety of purposes, from sawmills to oil mills to mustard mills.

With many other attractions in De Zaanse Schans, you can easily spend a whole day exploring the area.

Windmills in Amsterdam are buildings that I find fascinating. During your visit, you can discover and enjoy the hundreds of years of history they carry with them.

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