Photos

this is herkules - an odd windmill located on kalverpolder near zaandam, in fact mere 1km away from the tourist uberatraction of zaanse schans.

what is so odd? it is a modern windmill construction (early 20 century) so as such not listed among the historic dutch windmills ( molendatabase.nl ) yet it was operational for good 70 years when it was replaced by electric water pump in 1993. nevertheless a public effort of dutch burgers took care of money for its renovation and the windmill was retained as industrial heritage of the area...

so... if you are visiting zaanse schaans and still have time on your hand - take the detour and enjoy the more modern variant of the windmill. it might be slightly less picturesque than traditional 17-18 century windmills but it has kept dutch feet dry just as well!