Netherlands> Destinations

Kinderdijk Windmills

Kinderdijk is a world-known windmill park, open to visitors all day during the season. It is a park only in the formal sense. In fact, it forms a single unified system with the surrounding road infrastructure and cycling lanes, making it the perfect site for an uncomplicated visit. The windmills lie at the side of the road, making it easy for tourists to take snapshots as they pass by.

Traditionally the windmill season opens on March 21 and ends in October. There are a variety of activities for visitors during the period in between, such as canal cruises, which are launched on May 1, national windmill day on May 7, July holiday, the annual Paardenmarkt and more. However, before we provide information about things to see and do, we must trace the history of this remarkable national monument. Kinderdijk town is part of Holland's Alblasserwaard district. Problems with water supply emerged in this area as early as the Middle Ages. The people dug long canals, which went by the name of weteringen throughout the country with the purpose to drain excess water. Sadly, this was not a long-term solution. With the consistent increase of the river's water level and respective decrease of the ground level the canals proved insufficient. This is when the decision to build the windmills was made. According to the plan they would pump the water into tanks before it flowed back into the river.

Holland was flooded more than 30 times in its history. In fact, floods are the most damaging and detrimental natural disaster in this country. The most devastating one occurred in 1421 in result of a severe storm, which destroyed the embankments. As myth has it, even the name of Kinderdijk itself was derived in the course of a flood. A cat balanced a crib with a baby on the water, which got stuck on the slope of a dike. This place later came to be referred to as Kinderdijk - 'child' and 'dike'.

Steam pumps facilitated operation of the windmills in the late 19th century. Their function was taken over by diesel pump mechanisms in 1927. As oil supply was scare in WWII, the diesel station could not operate, and the windmills again demonstrated extraordinary capacity, ensuring adequate water supply in the region.

New technology was used to develop a functional diesel station in the 1970s. It is in use to this day, and includes three large corkscrews, used to drain water into the river. It is extremely powerful, with a peak capacity of 1350 cubic litres per minute. In the 80s an addition was made to this facility - a brand new station powered by electricity, which pumps 1500 cubic litres per minute at a maximum.

Apart from the diesel and electric stations, the windmill plant today includes embankments, tanks, administrative buildings, and of course, the well maintained, monumental windmills themselves. They are on UNESCO's World Heritage List. They deserve no lesser honor, as this exceptional man-made site is strong evidence of the resilience of human nature and genius demonstrated over a period of approximately 1000 years. Not only have the windmills received recognition for the practical achievement of ensuring water supply to the area - they are a top tourist destination, commemorated in many Flemish art works.

When you arrive at Kinderdijk, you will find there are plenty of things to do throughout the windmill season. First there is National Windmill Day, when most windmills are open for visitors. The July Holiday is another event related to the windmills - they function on every Saturday in July. The Paardenmarkt is a horse market, involving a cycling event in downtown Alblasserdam. This local tradition takes place annually on July 27. This is followed by another holiday, the one of August, with windmills operational on all Saturdays once again.

September is the major month on the windmill calendar in terms of events. The Molens verlicht or Windmills in floodlight runs from September 5 to September 10. You can become witness to the splendour and grace of the windmills bathed in floodlights. The windmill market opens to locals and tourists on the 9th. Its traditional venue is in the downtown area of Kinderdijk. Pop music performances are scheduled on the 8th through the 10th of September in Alblasserdam. Just before the season closes, the Port Festival is organized in the district.