The Zaanse Schans is a historic neighborhood in the municipality of Zaanstad established in 1963 with relocated monumental wooden buildings and industrial mills from the Zaan region. In the course of time, it has been supplemented with various cultural-historical museums, craft shops and restaurants. It lies in the Kalverpolder, a protected peat meadow landscape on the Zaan, opposite the village of Zaandijk. This architectural reserve for Zaanse wood construction is a protected village sight because of its architectural-historical and scenic value. It has developed into an international tourist destination with several million visitors annually.
Initially set up as a residential area, the neighbourhood attracted increasing numbers of tourists for whom it was not designed. Colonial Williamsburg was looked at as a tourist living area. Between 1970 and 1974 the plan was extended with historical buildings (restaurant 'De Kraai', warehouse 'De Lelie' and 'De Bezem') and some replicas suitable for catering and tourism. An extra parking lot was also built on the spot where a school was originally planned. In 1976, the Zaanse Schans became a tourist destination.
Also some mills were moved. Only the base of the paint mill the Kat (originally an oil mill) and of the oil mill the Bonte Hen, as well as the oil mill the Os are still standing on their original premises. Later on, buildings were also regularly moved to the Zaanse Schans.
Noctilucent clouds are a kind of clouds that
I'm Jeroen, and I'll spare you the long introduction. ;) If you're looking for a landscape photo for your wall, you've come to the right place... Read more…