Kinderdijk, the Land of Windmills
78Actually I have a plan to write about this topic a year ago. But I think this is the best time for me to share this information. I just want to say that this was another of fairyland as well. Kinderdijk itself is a village in the Netherlands, at the province South Holland, about 15 km east of Rotterdam. From this place we can see 19 windmills was built around 1740 where Kinderdijk is situated in a polder at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. The nineteen windmills of Kinderdijk are situated in an area of Alblasserwaard between Lek and Merwede, about 25 kilometers from Rotterdam.
These windmills have function to assist in the draining of the lowland area, much of it below sea level. None is still functioning since they have been replaced by mechanical pumps which monitor. This is a great technology can be made by human to overcome the geographic problem. Netherland is one of the greatest country can create such of this technology. These windmills are effective in the extraction of excess water in the lowlands of Holland. That’s why Kinderdijk has been recorded as a UNESCO site and the area in 1997 was placed into the World Heritage List in recognition of its unique character.
The history of Kinderdijk as a unique location
Why this place was so unique? nowhere around the world you can find a place like Kinderdijk. This is the only place in the world where you can find so many windmills on such a short area. These windmills complex consists of 8 stone brick windmills which were built in 1738, 8 thatched windmills were built in 1740, 2 stone windmills of the polder Nieuw-Lekkerland built in 1760. But unfortunately, 1 windmill of the polder Blokweer had burned down in 1997. This windmill was built in 1521. But after restoration and has been operational since 2000. These windmills were built to overcome the water problem. It happened more apparent in the 13th century at Alblasserwaard. Large canals, were dug to get rid of the excess water in the polders. So, keeping the polders dry was required and decided to build a series of windmills. These windmills which would pump the water into a reservoir (boezem) until the level of the river had reached a level that pumping the water into the river was possible again. Kinderdijk is the final station of the water of the Alblasserwaard, but since the 1950's the function of the windmills has been taken over by the pumping station which is one of the largest in the world. That’s why Netherlands also called as the land of windmills. The windmills in symbolize Kinderdijk the way in which the Dutch has managed the water.
Sunset in Kinderdijk
Amazing pictures between land and water
Tourist spot in Kinderdijk
The group of windmills in Kinderdijk is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands as the best known Dutch tourist sites. So, what can we see here? We can find meadows with grazing livestock, mills and tree, river, elongated villages situated next to dikes, orchards in blossom and historic farm as well. There are several activities we can do here, like:
- Visiting windmills. The windmill operates daily. One of the windmills is opened for visitors during the tourist season, and at most of the days its operational too.
- Taking a boat trip. The boat starts and stops at the beginning of the windmill boulevard, across the giftshop. It costs about €4 for adult and €3 for children. It takes about 30 minutes.
- Mills in foodlight. This is an unforgettable memory for every visitor. Because of all mills are lighted at night during the second complete week of September. Which is called mills in floodlight.
- National Windmills Day. National Windmill day of the Netherlands celebrated on the second saturday of May. All mills which is showing a Dutch flag are opened for visitors, many times and there is no entrance fee. But sometimes a small donation is required. It still became nice tour for the visitor as the special day.
- Museummolen and the Wisboomgemaal. These places are opened 09:30-17:30 daily in the summer season, at April 1 until October 31. They are only opened 11:00-16:00 on weekends, outside the summer season, they. With the entrance fee ticket about €6 and can be bought at the parking lot. The Wisboomgemaal has an introductory film, a digital scale model and visitor centre. Other facilities are free restrooms and soda machines.
Fine Waterfront Living at Kinderdijk
This was truly wonderful tour where the tourist can get a pretty good idea about the functioning of the windmills and the lifestyle back then. I heard that the best way to see the windmills is on foot or by bicycle. The good news is bike rental is available over there. Don’t worry about public facilities. We can stay at the best hotel, like: Hotel Kinderdijk, Wapen van Alb.dam, Mercure, and Bastion. Several cafeteria and snackbar, bars and restaurant, campings, casino, cinemas. Please enjoy the beauty of Kinderdijk from the pictures and video inside this hub.
Kinderdijk - You can also read:
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I enjoyed this hub very much. My wife has family in Holland and loves windmills.
Your hubs are the next best thing to actually visiting these places. Up and awesome.
Dear friend, writer20. Thank you very much for coming to this hub and share your experience in visiting Europe. I hope you can visit Kinderdijk one day. Take care! ~prasetio
Beautiful Hub! I loved your photos and video.
Beautiful photos and lots of wonderful information about Kinderdijk. We went to the Netherlands when I was in high school (many years ago). I don't remember the name of the city we visited - it was part of a European tour - but some of these photographs look pretty familiar :) Rated up and beautiful!
Welcome to this hub, whonunuwho. Nice to see you here and I am glad to know that your wife has a family in Holland. I hope you have a chance to visit this place in person....amen.
Prasetio
Hi, Pop. I am glad to know that your still enjoy my hub about travel. I hope you entertained with Kinderdijk information. Take care!
Your welcome, mary615. Nice to see you here. I hope you love this information. Cheers....
Thanks, stephhicks68 for dropping by. Dear friend, Steph. I am glad to know that you have visited Netherlands when you were high school. I thought you still have beautiful memories about your vacation during Europen tour. We can find many windmills picture as the icon of Netherland. That's why these photographs look pretty familiar. I hope you enjoy this information. I love your "VOTE". Take care!
Prasetio
I visited the Netherlands once and it is a beautiful, charming country especially when the tulips are in bloom. I saw many windmills but most, as you point out, were not operable any longer. I also visited a small village on the North Sea and was the coldest I have ever been in my life (including Chicago).
These photos, pras, are lovely. Thank you for finding them. Voted up.
Having visted this area I too enjoy the scenery and the people. Thanks for sharing!
I have been to Holland and the whole country has a sort of quaint atmosquere.
Dear friend, drbj, Thank you very much for coming and share your experience in visiting Netherlands. Wow..that must be a wonderful vacation for you. I had never know about the coldest place in this country. I have to find out more about this place. I love your "Vote". Take care!
Prasetio
Your welcome, dallas93444. I hope you entertained with this information and we can see this place in person one day. God bless you!
Thanks, Hello, hello for dropping by. I am glad to see you again and to know that your have been visit to the whole country of Netherlands. Take care!
Aha! Finally a place I've been to,..Holland that is. But I didn't see Kinderdijk. Fantastic photos my friend. Good history too. Definitely World Heritage. Btw, got held up in the Amsterdam airport once when an associate took off with my passport. While wandering around waiting for the wise-arse to return the police stuck a machine-gun in my back and searched me. Fun Fun! Thanks Pras.
Hi Prasetio, Kinderdijk looks like a beautiful place to go and visit! I can't believe that those windmills date back so far. Well done you for a remarkable hub packed full of useful information - voting up!
My brother, Alastar Packer. Thank you so much for coming and share your experience while visiting Holland. Especially your funny story in the Amsterdam airport. Just be careful, brother. Of course, you don't want this happened again if you visiting Kinderdijk one day. Take care!
Blesssing, Prasetio
Dear friend, Cloverleaf. Nice to see you again. I am glad you love this information. I know that some of us had experience in visiting Holland. But I want to share something unique from Holland, that's what we called "windmills". Thanks for coming. God bless you!
Prasetio
Oh Prasetio I am so pleased you published this hub. Holland is a place I have always wanted to visit but never had the chance to. The land of windmills and tulips.
Beautiful photos and video. Thank you
Windmills are used here to generate power but look nothing like these fabulous old windmills.
Thanks for the visit. I always think of Don Quixote when I see windmills. I guess we all have our own quests!
Holland is very beautiful. The windmills are unique indeed. Enjoyed the scenery. Thank you....
I would love to visit the Netherlands and see the windmills during my trip. Thank you for an interesting and informative hub, Prasetio. I enjoyed looking at the photos and learning about the windmills. I loved the video - the sharpness and the viewpoint made me feel that I was really in the Netherlands!
Great topic for a hub! Windmills are so beautiful.
Hi prasetio
Thank you for taking us to the Land of the Windmills.
Great pictures. I especially enjoyed the video.
Voted up and awesome.
It always amazes me how you find so many beautiful pictures. I think windmills are really cool and to know that you can find so many of them in Kinderdijk. Lovely hub and rating it up.
The People Who Built These Wind Mills Were Not Just Blowing Wind When They Erected Them, 1740-2011...We Could Only Wish We Could Live That Long...Thanks For Sharing Pras!;)
Dear friend, RoseMay50. I am glad you enjoy this hub and your biggest dream to see Holland in person. Thank you very much for your appreciation. I hope your dream will come true soon...amen. ~prasetio
Your welcome, Truckstop Sally. I hope you always entertained with all my hubs, including this one. I have the same idea with you about windmills. Take care!
Hi, Ruby. Nice to see you here. I am so happy to know that your love this information. Holland identical with windmills and I hope you enjoy this hub. God bless you!
My friend, AliciaC. Thank you very much for your appreciation about this hub and I am so happy to know that your enjoy this information. I hope your dream will come true and see all the windmills in person. Cheers...
Prasetio
Hi, randomcreative. Good to see you here and I know how your love this information. Peace, prasetio
Your welcome, Sueswan. Thank for give your appreciation to this hub. I love the video so much. I agree with Alicia, the video made me feel that I was really in the Netherlands. I hope you have the same feeling with me. I love your vote.
Prasetio
My friend, Anglnwu. Thanks for dropping by. I hope you enjoy all stunning pictures about windmills in Kinderdijk. They all so fantastic as tourist attraction. God bless you!
Love and peace,
My friend, Mentalist Acer. Good to see you again. As one of the Great UNESCO site, I thought the windmills should live in a long time. Thank you very much. ~prasetio
I did a short visited to the Netherlands once but then, I only stayed in Amsterdam. I have never heard about this place, Kinderdijk, before, but now I know so much more thanks to you Prasetio! This hub is so full of information and interesting history about this beautiful place. It would be marvellous to see this for real and since this place is in Europe maybe I can! You have found and shown an amazing and beautiful place. Thanks Pras, voting up and more
Tina
Hi, Tina. Thanks for coming with your beautiful smile on your face. Wow..I am glad to know that you did a short visited to the Netherlands. I hope this information useful for you and you have a chance to visit Netherlands again. Of course, you will see this place with beautiful windmills in person. I love your vote and I really appreciate your coming to this hub. Take care, my friend.
Prasetio
Beautiful prasetio! Windmills and more windmills! How enchanting this is. I really enjoyed all your photos and incredibly well researched information, I used to talk with an company account we had in the Netherlands, I have obviously never been there but maybe some day! Thanks for sharing! Up, Useful and interesting!
It's certainly a really beautiful place. Thanks for introducing us to Kinderdijk and it's beautiful windmills.
My friend, Chatkath. Welcome to this hub. Thanks for your attention to this information and I am glad you love all the pictures here. I believe you have a chance to visit Kinderdijk one day. I really appreciate your vote.
Love and peace,
Thanks, felicitylovespari for dropping by. I am proud to share this information with you. Take care!
prasetio30,
I always feel as though I am on a magical vacation when I indulge in your informative and beautiful articles. I loved the pictures that lent such depth to this information on a place I would love to visit.
Voted UP & UABI, mar.
Dear friend, marcoujor. Thank you so much for coming and leave beautiful comment. I believe that your comment come from your "pure heart". Your vote really appreciated here. Cheers....
Prasetio
Hi prasetio, I feel as though I have just visited a wonderful magical place, I didn't realise some windmills are thatched! lot's of interesting information on Kinderdijk and the windmills, thank you so much for sharing, voting up/awesome. Best wishes MM
My friend, MOvie Master. Thank you so much for coming and share your thought about this hub. I hope you entertained with all information about Kinderdijk and you have a chance to visit this place one day. I love your vote. Take care!
Blessing, prasetio
Another great review Prasetio. It is always a pleasure looking at these beautiful places that you define so well my friend. Until the next visit, be good and have a great weekend as well. See you soon my friend.
Hi, thelyricwriter. Good to see you again. I am glad you love this information and I hope you always enjoy my "virtual tour". I promise to give to you another amazing tour from around the world. Have a nice weekend!
Prasetio
Hi prasetio,
How are you? I loved this hub. So peaceful and serene. Wish I could visit. Thank you for taking me there.
Sharyn
Hi, Sharyn's. I am fine, thanks. I am glad to see you here and I know that you love this information. I hope you can visit Kinderdijk one day...amen. Have a good day!
Prasetio
Excellent hub, I have to say I'm proud to be Dutch because we are good at finding solutions like these windmills. I'm pretty sure we didn't invent the windmill, but we put them to good use! I enjoyed your tour and one of these days I'll go on a tour of my own, it sounds like there is a lot to do there to experience the windmills. I look forward to to reading more of your hubs about other places in the world worth visiting.
Hi, Alexander Mark. I am so happy to see you here and to know that you are from Holland and also told about their country. Netherlands is totally awesome and I really enjoy this country as one of the best travel destination in the world. I agree with you about the windmills. Thank you very much for coming and I hope you enjoy my others hub about travel. Have a nice day!
Prasetio
writer20 Level 8 Commenter 7 months ago
Holland is always a very pretty country and their people are really nice too. I really miss not being able to just hop on a boat or plane to visit the rest of europe now that I live here.