Windmills at Kinderdijk, Holland (with Map & Photos)

Kinderdijk (Holland) is a spectacular site with 19 windmills. In fact, it is the only place in the world with so many windmills so close together. I mean, it is a unique landscape!

Kinderdijk Windmills Holland
Kinderdijk Windmills Holland

Holland below sea level


During your excursion to Kinderdijk, you will “get to know” Holland below sea level.

There are 19 Windmills, pumping stations, upper and lower storage basins, ditches and floodgates. All together they form an ingenious water management system in the shallow polders. (A polder is a Dutch term that describes land areas reclaimed from the sea).

Kinderdijk Windmills Holland
Kinderdijk Windmills Holland

UNESCO heritage


For many years, the Windmills at Kinderdijk keep the land dry, thus avoiding floods.

In fact, the last 17 mills were built between the years 1738-1740 as part of a water management system. In that period there were already two previously built mills that are still preserved today. For this reason it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Kinderdijk Windmills Holland
Kinderdijk Windmills Holland


The Windmills


Returning to the topic of the Windmills at Kinderdijk. There is one that is open to the public, in which they explain the operation of the mill. You can hear the blades spinning pretty well!

The mills are a bit small inside. There are some rooms where you will see how people lived there. By some small stairs you will access the other floors of the mill to go through its entire interior. The gearing of the axles and wheels is impressive.

Kinderdijk Windmills Holland
Kinderdijk Windmills Holland

It is not a very big area, but if you want to exercise and see it before, you can rent a bike at the entrance, although walking is not bad. It doesn't get heavy.

Windmills at Kinderdijk Map