When I was growing up, we had a framed photograph hanging in our hallway showing a line of Dutch Windmills majestically placed along a canal. On bottom was the word “Kinderdijk.” After years of seeing that photo I knew I’d one day have to go see those windmills for myself.
So, the Kinderdijk is part of the Netherlands, not Germany. During our 2019 trip we drove a big loop from Mainz up into the Netherlands specifically to see the windmills. We were not disappointed, even though it was once again raining during our visit. But, rain brings out the best color in outdoor photographs, so it’s all good.
Located about 9 miles east of Rotterdam, Kinderdijk is situated in the Alblasserwaard at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. To drain the polder, a system of 19 windmills was built around 1740. This group of mills is the largest surviving concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands. Today, most drainage is done with huge diesel-powered pumps, but the windmills are still working and used as backups for the pumps.
This is my small collection of photographs of the Windmills of the Kinderdijk.
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Photo Gallery
Windmills In A Row
A Row of Windmills Facing Into The Prevailing Winds. The top portion of each windmill is rotated by the mill keeper to keep the sails facing into the wind.
A View of a Windmill
A View of a Windmill
Windmill and Keepers House
These windmills are categorized as "ground sailers" because their sails come very close to the ground. The "arms" are referred to as sial, not "blades" as with modern power-generation turbines. These large sails create teh necessary torque to pump the necessary volume of water.
Looking Down a Windmill Canal
Looking at windmills lining a side canal
View of A Windmill
Another of the nineteen windmills of the Kinderdijk
A Canal Boat in The Kinderdijk
A canal boat taking on passengers for a water-view of teh nineteen canals of the Kinderdijk
A Drawbridge and a Windmill
A drawbridge for pedestrians to cross over the canal while a canal boat takes on passengers.
A View of Nederwaard Molen No.2
This is a stone-based "grondzeiler" windmill, specifically identified as Nederwaard Molen No.2. There are 19 windmills in Kinderdijk, all built around 1740 to pump water from reclaimed land.
The Cogwheel (or Brake Wheel)
The large curved wooden structure is part of the gear system, specifically the cogwheel (or brake wheel) that converts the horizontal motion of the sails into vertical power.
The Main Brake Wheel and a Wallower
Interior view of a windmill open to the public, showing the huge wooden transmission gears. The motion from the windmill sails are transmitted to a vertical pole running down to the bottom of the structure, where the archimedes water pump is located. These specific gears are known as a main brake wheel and a wallower.
The Brake Wheel and Lantern Pinion
Interior view of a windmill open to the public, showing the huge wooden transmission gears. The motion from the windmill sails are transmitted to a vertical pole running down to the bottom of the structure, where the archimedes water pump is located. The large, toothed wooden gear on the left is the brake wheel, designed to transfer power from the windshaft and allow the mill to be stopped. The smaller, cylindrical wooden gear on the right is the lantern wheel or wallower, which meshes with the brake wheel to transfer rotational energy downward.
A Great Spur or Crown Wheel
This is the bottom of the vertical shaft terminating in the great spur or crown wheel. This interacts with other wooden gears (like the wallower) to drive the water pump. Wooden gears are able to withstand the necessary torque required for driving the huge archimedes pumps.
A Sail and A Door
Capturing one of the windmill "sails" compared to a door entrance into a windmill base. The windmills arms are called "sails" not blades, as they function like the sails of a ship, as opposed to modern wind turbines for power. These large sails are need to create the torque needed for pumping.
Windmills of Kinderdijk
Looking down the main canal of Kinderdijk at a row of windmills.
A View of Nederwaard Molen No.2.
A stone-based "grondzeiler" windmill, specifically identified as Nederwaard Molen No.2. One of a group of 19 windmills built around 1740 to pump water out of the low-lying marshlands.
Nederwaard Molen No.2. with the Mill Keepers House
Another view of Nederwaard Molen No.2. , and the Mill Keepers house next to it. The operation and maintenance of each windmill is assigned to a specific family as a highly desirable Government job. Some windmills have been operated by the same family for generations.
Nederwaard Molen No.2.
Another view of Nederwaard Molen No.2. , surrounded by a low fence. This particular windmill is both an occupied residence and a living museum.
Into The Wind
A view with sails facing the wind. The upper section can be rotated by the mill keeper so the sails are facing into the wind and capturing maximum power
The Steam-Powered Pumping Station Machinery
A steam engines engine was installed in 1868 to power the pumping station and manage water levels, as an alternative to the windmills. The station was converted to diesel-electric power in 1924, making this engine a historic artifact, still on display in the Wisboom pumping station
The Steam-Powered Pumping Station Machinery
A steam engines engine was installed in 1868 to power the pumping station and manage water levels, as an alternative to the windmills. The station was converted to diesel-electric power in 1924, making this engine a historic artifact, still on display in the Wisboom pumping station. The hanging screens are interpretive guides explaining the exhibit.
The Steam-Powered Pumping Station Machinery
A steam engines engine was installed in 1868 to power the pumping station and manage water levels, as an alternative to the windmills. The station was converted to diesel-electric power in 1924, making this engine a historic artifact, still on display in the Wisboom pumping station. The hanging screens are interpretive guides explaining the exhibit.
The Museummolen de Blokweer
The (The Museummolen de Blokweer ) Blokweer Museum Mill is the oldest windmill in Kinderdijk. A"wipmolen" (hollow post mill) dating back to 1631, it is 100 years older than the other mills and still in operation. It is also a living museum and tourists are able to explore the interior.
The Museummolen de Blokweer
The (The Museummolen de Blokweer ) Blokweer Museum Mill is the oldest windmill in Kinderdijk. A"wipmolen" (hollow post mill) dating back to 1631, it is 100 years older than the other mills and still in operation. It is also a living museum and tourists are able to explore the interior.
A Row of Windmills
Looking down the canal lined with windmills. This is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands.
Intrepid Explorers of Kinderdijk
Ron and Winnie braving the rainy weather to explore the historic windmills of Kinderdijk.
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Bonus Videos
In addition to photos, I attempted to capture the motion of these majestic windmills with some videos.
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Information Sites
- What to Do in Kinderdijk : Operated by the Kinderdijk Tourist Center
- Wiki Voyage Entry on Kinderdijk : Wiki Voyage is free worldwide travel guide and companion-site to the Wikipedia.
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