Nov 8, 2022
Kinderdijk Windmills during sunset in Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Kinderdijk Windmills during sunset in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Are you looking for a beautiful attraction to visit in the Netherlands? Check out Kinderdijk Windmills. Here's what you need to know about Kinderdijk.
The village of Kinderdijk, beloved for its rich history and culture, is a must-see for tourists visiting South Holland. Located a mere 9 miles from Rotterdam, Kinderdijk is home to the oldest collection of Dutch windmills in the Netherlands, quietly nestled away in the meeting place of the Lek and the Noord rivers.With plenty of tours and activities to keep you busy, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the folklore surrounding this singularly stunning countryside retreat.
Kinderdijk Windmills - The Netherlands
Kinderdijk Windmills – The Netherlands
When thinking of the Netherlands, two images popped into my head: tulipsand windmills. Matt had looked up a visit to Kinderdijk from Rotterdam, but we decided it probably wasn’t in the cards for us because it would be an insanely expensive uber ride. So, we called it a loss and had moved on until our friend Tessa talked about taking a day trip to Bruges, Belgium and making a stop along the way at…
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Kinderdijk Windmills : A UNESCO Heritage Site
Kinderdijk Windmills : A UNESCO Heritage Site
Roughly one hour outside of Amsterdam, you will find technology of the 17th Century still standing today. It is no wonder that the Kinderdijk Windmills have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kinderdijk is situated in the Alblasserwaard dry land between the juncture of the Lek and Noord River. This peaceful fast-moving Waterland was the perfect place for creating the first clean energy…
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My article – Windmills of Kinderdijk – has appeared in October 2017 issue of JetWings – the in-flight magazine of Jet Airways. Have a read!
Think Holland and you think of windmills. And if you’ve ever wanted to see how these work, there’s no better place than Kinderdijk – situated only 30 minutes from Rotterdam.
The monumental windmills sprinkled across the Kinderdijk landscape
For information on how to get there from Amsterdam and what else to see en route, visit THIS POST.
WINDMILLS OF KINDERDIJK
This particular windmill dates back to 1738 CE
Kinderdijk is a small village in the Molenwaard municipality in the province of South Holland. This village is also one of the most-visited tourist spots in the Netherlands, owing to the popularity of a cluster of 19 windmills that remain functional even today, almost 280 years after they were constructed!
To understand the need for these windmills, we need to delve into some facts about Netherlands and also go through a rather cute tale.
As you look out from the third level window of a windmill, you spot another one in the distance
The country gets its name from its location as a low-lying country (nether means low). Everything here lies below the sea level. Despite the innovative water management system of dykes established by Floris V, Count of Holland, in the 13th century, this geographical reality often led to the flooding of these fertile polders or the reclaimed land – sometimes, even sweeping away the poorly-built dykes.
The living quarters inside a windmill
After a particularly devastating flood that killed thousands in 1421 CE, the survivors discovered a crying child in a crib that was kept afloat by a cat that had been jumping around the crib to keep the balance. This led to the christening of the village as Kinderdijk or Children’s Dyke.
WATER CRISIS AND MANAGEMENT
The intricate and rugged wooden gear system that helps throw water out when windmill operates
Over the next couple of centuries, the water management boards kept trying various ways to keep the water out. But the problem was becoming more acute with the land sinking deeper and water levels rising. With every passing decade, more power was needed to keep the water out.
For the resident kids, a jump into the canals during summers is a routine pastime
Many a trial and error later, the water management boards of the region arrived at the best and the most energy-efficient system of keeping the water out – a combination of windmills, dykes, and pumping stations.
So, by the 1740s, a complex of 20 windmills had been erected, out of which 19 still exist. Courtesy of this innovation and unique heritage, UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1997, ever since attracting throngs of visitors keen to get a glimpse of these wondrous structures.
A Canalhopper giving a joyride to the tourists
One of these windmills is even converted into a museum to give visitors a peek into the lifestyle of the farmer-dwellers here. Besides being an effective water management tool, these privately owned windmills are three-level residences for the polder farmers.
These photographs showcase this innovative water management tool that doubles up as the living quarters of the people of Kinderdijk.
Windmills of Kinderdijk came about an effective water management system for Holland as the average elevation of the country is 7 metres below sea level. That leads to frequent flooding of polders. Given their vintage, they have been declared UNESCO world Heritage site in 1997.
Windmills of Kinderdijk came about an effective water management system for Holland as the average elevation of the country is 7 metres below sea level. That leads to frequent flooding of polders. Given their vintage, they have been declared UNESCO world Heritage site in 1997.
Read about this unique water management system that catapulted the Windmills of Kinderdijk into UNESCO list. My article - Windmills of Kinderdijk - has appeared in October 2017 issue of JetWings – the in-flight magazine of Jet Airways.
Kinderdijk Windmills, Netherland
Surrounded by large canals and green fields, Kinderdijk is one of the most traditional and authentic examples of Dutch landscape in The Netherlands. Located 30 minutes away from Rotterdam, this remarkable village has a total of 19 windmills and it´s Kinderdijk was declared a World Heritage site in 1997.
Peep here: Palarios
©Pedro Antonio Larios Garcia