Thanks to bucia sent ,28/11/2021
The Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout is a construction
set up for draining and protecting an area by the development and
application of hydraulic technology.
Kinderdijk is a small town near Rotterdam, situated in an area called
the Alblasserwaard. This part of the Netherlands lies below sea-level,
and has a history of floods.
The 19 windmills of Kinderdijk were built around 1740. Their purpose
was to pump the excess water into a reservoir until the level of the
river had reached a level that pumping the water into the river (called
the Lek) was possible again. Since 1927 a diesel pumping station does
the real job. The windmills were used for the last time during the
second World War, when the mechanical pumps could not be used any more
due to fuel shortages.
During the summer months, the mills are put back in operation again
to please the tourists. In one of the windmills a small museum is
established with an exhibition about how miller-families lived. You can
also walk or cycle along the canals and river to take a closer look at
the mills and enjoy the landscape.
source (https://www.worldheritagesite.org/list/Kinderdijk)
Stamp:
Country:
Netherlands
Series:
Dutch Icons (International)
Themes:
Houses
Issued on:
2014-01-03