Kinderdijk is near Rotterdam and is the site of over 19 well preserved
and still working windmills. It is a national heritage site and
many tourists visit each year.
The windmills were built in the 1700s to help drain the water from this
area, via a series of higher and higher canals, into the sea.
Today the windmills still serve this same purpose, but there is a
diesel operated archimedes screw to serve as backup (just in case!)
People still live in the windmills (after taking a government course
and passing the associated exam) and we were able to visit one of the
windmills and see inside!
In addition to seeing the windmills, the area is beautiful for biking
around!
