De Zoeker

Ever wondered how traditional Dutch windmills were used for more than just milling grain? Here at the Zaanse Schans, stands De Zoeker, a testament to the ingenuity of Dutch engineering. De Zoeker isn’t your typical windmill. It’s an oil mill, the only one still operating daily in the entire region. Originally built around 1676 in Zaandijk, De Zoeker diligently pressed seeds like linseed and rapeseed into oil for centuries. Its life in Zaandijk wasn’t without interruption, but the mill persevered until 1968. Then, a dramatic relocation took place. Imagine the sight: the eight-sided top section of De Zoeker, lifted over the railway’s electric wires during the night. It found its new home here on the Zaanse Schans, on the very spot where another oil mill, De Wind, once stood. Today, De Zoeker isn’t just a historical artifact. It’s a living, breathing piece of history, a working mill that produces oil just as it did centuries ago. During the summer months, you can witness this age-old process, the sails turning gracefully in the wind, pressing seeds into valuable oil. De Zoeker, the seeker of oil, is a captivating reminder of the Zaanstreek’s industrial past. It’s a symbol of Dutch innovation and a unique landmark that continues to fascinate visitors from around the world. De Zoeker reminds us of a time when wind power fueled Dutch industry.