You almost can’t go to The Netherlands without visiting a windmill.

Even though I’ve been on windmill tours a number of times, it has been a while since I’ve been in one and there’s always a lot to learn.

I had planned a day trip to Schiedam with my family, which is home to the largest windmills in the world!

History of windmills in The Netherlands

Windmills are the frontrunners of wind turbines. Already hundreds of years ago, the people understood that wind power would be invaluable for human wealth. So, the wind was widely harnessed for sailing and milling.

The history of ‘vertical’ windmills in The Netherlands goes back to the 13th century (before this there were wind wheels in the Middle East).

By the 19th century, thousands of windmills were built and used for industry in The Netherlands. They were used for grinding grains to flour and extracting sugars (from the starch) for alcohol production. But also for crushing seeds for oil and pumping water.

On our excursion we visited De Walvisch, built in 1794, to grind barley for the booming jenever industry.  As a side note, jenever or genever = juniper-spiced maltwine – a forerunner of English gin.

Visiting a windmill today

There are still eight windmills in Schiedam and De Walvisch is open to visitors. It’s an interesting, fun and interactive visit with lots to see and touch as you go up the windmill.

Our kids were even invited to help stop the windmill from spinning and take down the cloth of the sails!

More info about De Walvisch and other windmills in Schiedam.

(Sources: Stichting De Schiedamse Molens, Geschiedenis van Zuid-Holland, Renewable Energy World)