Amsterdam's windmills
Windmills are as much a Dutch icon as clogs and tulips and they are even celebrated on 'National Windmill Day' when windmills all around the country throw open their doors to the public. With eight windmills located in and around Amsterdam, windmill spotting is a great way to see the city. (National Windmill Day 2011 took place on 14 and 15 May, 2011).
Celebrating windmills
Windmills (molens) were an integral part of Dutch life for centuries, being used for industrial purposes such as milling corn or for draining the lowlands of excess water. Once, more than 10,000 windmills dotted the Dutch landscape. In fact, they are even ingrained in the language - one Dutch expression to describe an irrational person says that they must have 'been hit by a mill'.
Windmills are still celebrated today during National Windmill Day as well as on festive occasions and national holidays when they are often decorated with flowers, figures of angels and even the Dutch flag.
17th and 18th-century windmills
A number of Amsterdam’s 17th-century windmills are unfortunately not open to the public, but windmill spotting is still a fun way to see the city. De Otter on the Kostverlorenvaart in the Amsterdam District of West is the oldest sawmill of its kind. Then there's De 1200 Roe or the Riekermolen located on the banks of the Amstel River.
Two later examples are d'Admiraal in the District of Noord and De Bloem (Haarlemmerweg, District of West), which was actually moved from its original location. And De Gooyer mill (pictured, left) is bound to go down well with those fond of a tipple - Brouwerij 't IJ next door serves a range of traditional self-brewed Dutch beers, either inside or on the terrace, weather permitting.
Open for visitors
Of Amsterdam’s eight remaining windmills, the only windmill regularly open to the public is the Molen van Sloten (The Sloten Windmill). The Molen van Sloten is a reconstructed, working windmill built in 1847 and is a popular wedding venue. Whenever possible, the miller demonstrates how he turns the mill's sails into the wind.
Another attraction at the Sloten is an audiovisual presentation about Rembrandt's life, called 'Rembrandt in the Attic'.
Further afield
If you fancy checking out more windmills after viewing Amsterdam’s best, the surrounding area also offers some stunning examples.
The Zaanse Schans is just a short trip away from Amsterdam. This picturesque open air museum is free of charge and boasts eight windmills. And for a small fee, you can also visit a working industrial windmill. From here, you can also pay a visit to The Windmill Museum, a relaxing 15-minute walk away.
Whichever way the wind blows during your stay in Amsterdam, its windmills offer a picturesque backdrop for your holiday snapshots.
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