The windmills of Kinderdijk
Holland is famous for its windmills. Nowhere in the world will you find as many windmills as near (the Dutch village) Kinderdijk. Around 1740 no less then 19 sturdy mills were built here. They have been well preserved to the present day. The mills drain the excess water from the Alblasserwaard polders - which are situated below sea-level - after which the water is sluiced into the river Lek. The powerfull mill sails to transmit the force of the wind on to large paddle-wheels which scoop up the water. Nowadays power-driven pumping engines do the job, including one of the largest water screw pumping-stations in Europe. In 1997 the mills of Kinderdijk were put on the World Heritage list.
Windmill Days
Every Saturday afternoon in July and August, as well as on the Dutch National Windmill day (the 2nd Saturday in May) the mills are put into operation once again. The 76 mill sails, each with a span of 28 meters, are rigged and brought to the wind, the brakes are released and the sails start to revolve. During the second complete week of September, at night the mills are illuminated by floodlight, thus creating an unforgettable impression.
Windmill open to visitors
From the 1st of April till the 30th of September, one of the mills will be open for visitors every day. The original interior of the mill has been entirely preserved and includes an antique closet bed and a cooking stove. The mechanical section of the mill is of particular interest as well.
Boat Trips
From the 1st of may till the 1st of October, a touring boat will take you for a trip along the mills. This boat has a capacity of 45 persons.
Study this well, questions will be asked J
Some information about how we will handle things around the mills. As you could have read above the boat can only harbor 45 persons. This means that the group will be split up: the first group can visit the Windmill while the other group makes the boat trip. When the boat returns the groups change places and see the rest of the sights.
If anyone has any questions about the Mills just ask Ruud and he might know just enough about it to answer your question.