November 2020 - Zaandam  


  Historically, windmills in Holland served many purposes. The most important probably was pumping water out of the lowlands and back into the rivers beyond the dikes so that the land could be farmed. In the fourteenth century, hollow-post mills were used to drive scoop wheels to drain the wetlands.

At one point there were over 9,000 windmills in the Netherlands, making flour, cutting wood, mixing paint, etc.

The most famous attraction of Zaandam is the Zaanse Schans, where a cute (albeit very touristy) 18th and 19th century town replication comes back to life. Have peek into the bakery or observe how tradition wood dutch clogs are made.


 








home | family photos | travelogues | temples | photo/video of the month | christmas card | blog | links | contact