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Rotterdam – Friday 16th August 2024

Rotterdam is a vibrant, modern city in the Netherlands, known for its innovative architecture, bustling port and rich cultural scene.  As one of the most dynamic cities in Europe, it offers a unique blend of historical significance and cutting-edge design, making it a fascinating destination.

Upon arriving in Rotterdam, you will immediately notice the city’s contemporary skyline, a striking contrast to the traditional Dutch cities like Amsterdam.

While Rotterdam is primarily known for its modern architecture and bustling port, it also has a connection to the traditional Dutch symbol of windmills.

Although the city itself doesn’t have as many windmills as other parts of the Netherlands, there are a few notable ones in and around Rotterdam that are worth visiting and that’s what we where here to do – we where deliberatly here to explore windmills!

While not within Rotterdam itself, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk is just a short distance away and is world-renowned for its 19 well-preserved windmills.

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These iconic windmills were built in the 18th century to manage water levels and prevent flooding in the polder landscape. A visit to Kinderdijk offers a quintessential Dutch experience, with the opportunity to walk or bike among the windmills, visit the museum mills and take a boat tour through the canals. It’s an easy and highly recommended day trip from Rotterdam.

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Schiedam

Schiedam, a town located just a few kilometers west of Rotterdam, is renowned for its impressive windmills, which are among the tallest in the world.

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These windmills have a rich history tied to the production of jenever, a traditional Dutch gin and they are a significant part of the region’s industrial heritage.

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Schiedam, which is home to seven monumental windmills, known as the “giant windmills” due to their towering height.  These windmills were built in the 18th and early 19th centuries to mill grain for the jenever distilleries that were the backbone of Schiedam’s economy.

Their towering design, some reaching up to 33 meters (over 100 feet), was necessary to catch enough wind in an urban environment crowded with buildings.

Visiting Schiedam’s windmills was a unique experience that combined history, culture and spectacular engineering. Many of these windmills are open to the public, offering guided tours that explore the mechanics of windmills, the history of Schiedam and the production of jenever.

The windmills of Schiedam were essential to the production of jenever, which was distilled in large quantities during the 18th and 19th centuries. The grain milled by these windmills was used to make the malt wine, a key ingredient in jenever.

Rotterdam’s windmills stand in contrast to the city’s ultra-modern skyline, serving as reminders of the Netherlands’ rich agricultural and industrial past.

While Rotterdam is famed for its modernity, its windmills provide a charming and historical touch. Whether within the city or a short trip away, these windmills offer a glimpse into the Netherlands’ iconic past, making them a worthy addition to any visit to Rotterdam.  They are fascinating.oʻ

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