Picturesque, traditional windmill in the province of North Holland by Silva Wischeropp

This rural idyll with the picturesque old windmill near the fishing village of Volendam in North Holland was created on 31 December 2018.

Windmills are a national symbol of Holland. They have played a major role in draining the land for centuries and have been used for sawing, grinding, pressing and pumping since the Middle Ages.

Windmills have performed various functions in Holland for centuries. In the 14th century, post windmills were used to drive scoop wheels. By utilising wind power, marshlands and moors could be drained. An impressive example of this type of windmill can be found in the town of Delft in South Holland. The Molen de Roos windmill was originally a wooden structure that was replaced by a stone building in the 18th century. The windmill has been fully restored and can be visited. Other mills were used to grind flour or as a sawmill. Due to the flat surface structure in Holland, wind power could be optimally utilised. More than 1,000 historic windmills still stand today in all parts of the country. The majority have been restored and converted into museums; only a few mills are still used to drain marshland.

National Windmill Day in Holland is dedicated to historic windmills. It always takes place on the second Saturday in May. 950 windmills throughout the country open their doors to visitors and guided tours of the historic buildings are organised. The tours are complemented by a colourful supporting programme for children. The little ones are given a clear explanation of how the windmills work and their significance for land reclamation in Holland. If you are spending your holiday in Holland during this time, we recommend a bike tour that takes you through the polder landscapes and villages from windmill to windmill.