Kinderdijk

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If The Netherlands is known as the land of windmills, then Kinderdijk is the place to see them in operation. Windmills in the Netherlands are typically used as water pumps to keep the polders dry.

Viking Sigrun arrived here late in the afternoon, around 3:45 p.m. There are 19 windmills to see here, the earliest dating to the 17th century. They are positioned along two rows. The Overwaard's wooden mills and Nederwaard's brick mills use wind power to move water from the polders to the basins. The surrounding land is below sea level. Water is pumped into the River Lek.

As we disembarked, we joined a local guide for a tour. It was late on a blustery and chilly day, and there were few visitors about except our cruise group. The information kiosk was closed, but the visitor café and gift shop were open. Our group first visited the Wisboom Pumping Station. Since 1868, the pumping station has assisted the windmills in pumping water by using steam, then electrical powered pumps. We saw a film on Kinderdijk and its contribution to water management. The pumping station originally used steam power, but the later electrical pumping machinery was on display.

After the pumping station, there was time to walk along the path connecting the mills and enjoy the scenery. One mill was open to visit inside. Some passengers had taken an optional scenic cruise through the windmills. The mills have been supplanted as the primary pumping mechanism for the polders, but they certainly form an attractive ensemble.

The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After our visit to Kinderdijk, Viking Sigrun sailed for Amsterdam and the conclusion of the cruise.

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Photos

Kinderdijke Windmill
Kinderdijke Windmill (Molen).
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Polder House
Polder house, dating from 1648, the front of which was renovated in 1918. The rear has high windows with classic pediments; on the front a Renaissance portal with carved crests and curved pediment, 1644. Molenstraat 238, Kinderdijk.
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Docking at Kinderdijk
Viking Sigrun docking at Kinderdijk.
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Kinderdijk Entrance
Entrance to the Kinderdijk Windmills.
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Het Nieuwe Waterschap
The 19 windmills of Kinderdijke are located on either side of Het Nieuwe Waterschap. The Overwaard is to the left and the Nederwaard to the right.
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Windmills of the Nederwaard
Kinderkijk Windmills of the Nederwaard. Kinderdijk has nineteen original windmills that the Water Board uses to drain the polder. Overwaard's wooden mills and Nederwaard's brick mills use wind power to move water from the polders to the basins. The vanes (sails) span up to thirty metres.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Kinderkijk
Kinderkijk Windmills. Black & White study.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Wisboomgemaal
Wisboomgemaal - Wisboom Pumping Station, Kinderdijk. Dating back to 1868, the Wisboom pumping station was originally operated with a steam engine until it was converted to electric power in 1924. Decomissioned in 1996.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout with its historic polder areas, high and low-lying drainage channels, mills and millraces, pumping stations, outlet sluices and Water Board Assembly Houses is an outstanding example of the development of Dutch drainage techniques which were copied and adapted in many parts of the world".
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Wisboomgemaal
Wisboomgemaal - Wisboom Pumping Station interpretive marker.
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Pumping Machinery
Wisboomgemaal - Wisboom Pumping Station, Kinderdijk. Electric water pumping machinery. Dating back to 1868, the Wisboom pumping station was originally operated with a steam engine until it was converted to electric power in 1924. Decomissioned in 1996.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout with its historic polder areas, high and low-lying drainage channels, mills and millraces, pumping stations, outlet sluices and Water Board Assembly Houses is an outstanding example of the development of Dutch drainage techniques which were copied and adapted in many parts of the world".
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Pumping Machinery
Wisboomgemaal - Wisboom Pumping Station, Kinderdijk. Electric water pumping machinery. Dating back to 1868, the Wisboom pumping station was originally operated with a steam engine until it was converted to electric power in 1924. Decomissioned in 1996.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout with its historic polder areas, high and low-lying drainage channels, mills and millraces, pumping stations, outlet sluices and Water Board Assembly Houses is an outstanding example of the development of Dutch drainage techniques which were copied and adapted in many parts of the world".
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Pumping Machinery
Wisboomgemaal - Wisboom Pumping Station, Kinderdijk. Electric water pumping machinery. Dating back to 1868, the Wisboom pumping station was originally operated with a steam engine until it was converted to electric power in 1924. Decomissioned in 1996.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout with its historic polder areas, high and low-lying drainage channels, mills and millraces, pumping stations, outlet sluices and Water Board Assembly Houses is an outstanding example of the development of Dutch drainage techniques which were copied and adapted in many parts of the world".
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Electric Motor
Wisboomgemaal - Wisboom Pumping Station, Kinderdijk. Electric motor for the water pumping machinery. Dating back to 1868, the Wisboom pumping station was originally operated with a steam engine until it was converted to electric power in 1924. Decomissioned in 1996.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout with its historic polder areas, high and low-lying drainage channels, mills and millraces, pumping stations, outlet sluices and Water Board Assembly Houses is an outstanding example of the development of Dutch drainage techniques which were copied and adapted in many parts of the world".
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Kinderdijk
Kinderdijk windmills interpretive marker.
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De Blokker Molen
Kinderkijk Windmills. De Blokker Molen. A Wipmolen (hollow-post mill), characterized by the fact that the entire upper structure with a tail is rotatable around a cylinder held in a vertical position by the pyramid-shaped construction of the lower tower. The entire top section can be turned to face the wind. Built in 1630.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Windmills of the Overwaard
Kinderdijk. Windmills of the Overwaard. Overwaard Molen No. 1, 2, 3. The wooden windmills of the Overwaard (1740) use a scoop wheel to pump water from the Lower Basin to the Upper Basin. Inside is enough living space to house the miller and his family.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Kinderdijk House
House in Kinderdijk with dock on the Nieuwe Waterschap.
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Nederwaard Molen No. 1
Kinderkijk Windmills. Nederwaard Molen No. 1. Built in 1740. The Nederwaard windmills are brick.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Overwaard Molen No. 1.
Kinderkijk Windmills. Overwaard Molen No. 1. The Overwaard windmills are wooden.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Kinderkijk Canal Cruiser
Kinderkijk Windmills. Canal Cruiser tour boat sails by the Overwaard Molen No. 1. Built in 1740. The Overwaard windmills are wooden.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Nederwaard Molen No. 2
Kinderkijk Windmills. Nederwaard Molen No. 2. Built in 1738. The Nederwaard windmills are brick. This windmill is used as the Nederwaard Museum Mill and is open to visitors.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Windmills of the Nederwaard
Kinderdijk. Windmills of the Nederwaard. Nederwaard Molen No. 3, 4, 5. Windmilll number 4 is undergoing restoration. The brick windmills of the Nederwaard (1738) use a scoop wheel to pump water from the Lower Basin to the Upper Basin. Inside is enough living space for the miller and his family.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Nederwaard Molen No. 3
Kinderkijk Windmills. Nederwaard Molen No. 3. Built in 1738. The Nederwaard windmills are brick.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Nederwaard Molen No. 1 at Dusk
Kinderkijk Windmills. Nederwaard Molen No. 1 at dusk. Built in 1740. The Nederwaard windmills are brick.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and have continued uninterruptedly to the present day. The site illustrates all the typical features associated with this technology – dykes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of beautifully preserved windmills".
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Water Tower
Watertoren - Water tower in Krimpen aan de Lek.
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Roast Chateaubriand Bérnaise
Roast Chateaubriand Bérnaise. Served aboard Viking Sigrun.
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Serenity
Lovely even on a cloudy day.