Picture the scene. The year is 1874. Imagine the Oostzijdse Molen rising from the ashes of its predecessor. It’s more than just a reconstruction. It’s a symbol of resilience. This is the Oostzijdse Molen.
The Oostzijdse Molen stands proudly. It is on the Gein near Abcoude. This Dutch windmill has a rich history. It once served as a vital poldermolen.
Before you stands a testament to Dutch ingenuity. For centuries, windmills like the Oostzijdse Molen were essential. They kept the low-lying lands dry. These lands were drained for agriculture and habitation.
Originally, a mill stood here in 1486. The Oostzijdse Molen, in its current form, dates back to 1874. It replaced an earlier structure destroyed by lightning. Lightning strikes were a common threat to these wooden giants.
The Oostzijdse Molen worked with another mill near Baambrugge. Together, they drained the Oostzijdse Polder. This vast area spans 830 hectares. This is a major feat of engineering.
By 1950, progress arrived in the shape of an electric pumping station. It was located on the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. The station took over the drainage duties. The Oostzijdse Molen’s primary role ended.
In 1952, the mill found an unlikely savior. A Parisian named Souget bought it. He named it Delphine. This added a touch of French flair to the Dutch landscape.
Since 1965, the Stichting De Utrechtse Molens has owned the Oostzijdse Molen. Today, the mill is a national monument. It is a protected piece of Dutch heritage.
However, the Oostzijdse Molen faced challenges. A lower water table made milling difficult. The mill suffered from years of neglect. It stopped operating for a while.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 2009, the Oostzijdse Molen was fully renovated. It returned to service as a poldergemaal. Its scoop wheel was lowered to accommodate the new water level.
The Oostzijdse Molen regained its vital role in polder management. Nearby, you can find the Battery on the Gein and the Liniewal Geindijk-Nigtevecht. These form part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam.
But there’s another facet to the Oostzijdse Molen’s fame. Piet Mondriaan immortalized it. Between 1902 and 1908, he painted it over twenty times.
His painting, Oostzijdse Molen aan het Gein bij maanlicht, is displayed in the Rijksmuseum. It is one of his first in the series. It captures the mill’s beauty under the moonlight.
Now, let’s talk tech. The Oostzijdse Molen is a ground sailer. It is an octagonal upper mill. Its flight measures 26.28 meters. It could lift water almost two meters. Its capacity reached 45 cubic meters per minute.
The Oostzijdse Molen’s scoop wheel is 6.35 meters high. It is 0.59 meters wide and made of iron. A fun fact links the mill to Gied Jaspars. He was a resident here.
In late 2021, the Oostzijdse Molen faced another setback. Inspections revealed weak welding seams on the rod blades. The mill was shut down for safety. A new inner rod was installed in December 2024.
Today, the Oostzijdse Molen stands as a testament to perseverance. It’s a beautiful monument. You can even rent it as a vacation home. This offers a unique experience.
As you stand before the Oostzijdse Molen, remember its journey. It rose from ashes. It adapted to changing times. It inspired an artist. It grinds on as an icon of Dutch heritage.