Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is a historic water-management site in South Holland, Netherlands, noted for its row of 18th-century windmills. The ensemble was built to drain the polders and control water levels and is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The site comprises 19 traditional windmills set along canals and dikes with open views across low-lying farmland. Interpretation and museum displays explain the milling technology and the development of Dutch polder systems; several mills are preserved in working condition. Paths and cycleways make the ensemble accessible for short walks and regional cycling routes.

Construction of the present mills dates mainly to the 18th century when wind power was the primary means to pump water from the polders. The mills continued to operate into the early 20th century before modern pumping stations supplemented them, and conservation has focused on preserving the historic structures.

Kinderdijk lies near the town of Alblasserdam, east of Rotterdam in South Holland, situated within a flat delta landscape of canals and reclaimed land.

• How to visit: The site is best seen on foot or by bicycle along the dike paths; boat tours on the adjacent waterways offer a different perspective of the mills and surrounding polders.

What to See #

• Windmill ensemble: A collection of 19 historic windmills arranged along two dikes that were built in the 18th century to drain polders and manage local water levels.
• Visitor centre: A visitor centre and museum that explain the Dutch water-management systems and the operational history of themills and pumping installations.