Perched gracefully on the edge of Het Twiske recreation area stands the Twiskemolen. This is not just any windmill. It’s a working monument with a fascinating story. The Twiskemolen is one of the few remaining polder windmills in the Netherlands.
This octagonal, reed-covered mill dates back to 1572. However, it wasn’t always here. The Twiskemolen has stood on this spot since 1974. Before that, it had a different life.
Let’s journey back to the 19th century. There were plans to reclaim the De Veen area. This area was also known as De Venen. The go-ahead was finally given in the 1930s. It was part of an employment scheme. Reclamation and cultivation work began.
Unfortunately, the reclamation faced challenges. The soil proved too salty for successful horticulture. An agricultural trial also failed.
In the 1960s, Amsterdam needed vast amounts of sand. This sand was for the construction of the Coen Tunnel. Sand extraction in Het Twiske created a deep lake. Today, we know it as Stootersplas. This gave rise to the idea of using Het Twiske as a recreation area. Amsterdam had a huge demand for such a space. Draining had stopped in the 1950s. The area needed restoration first.
The auxiliary pumping engine from the 1940s couldn’t handle the job. This led to the concept of the Twiskemolen. An electrical auxiliary drive was installed. This ensured operation even when there was no wind.
The Twiskemolen you see today originally stood in Barsingerhorn. It was known as the Hooglandspoldermolen. In 1967, a Mr. Vissers bought the Hooglandspoldermolen. He stored it in Nieuw Vennep with plans for rebuilding. Those plans never materialized. In 1973, Recreatieschap Het Twiske-Waterland bought the mill. They rebuilt it here between Landsmeer and Oostzaan. Ironically, this site had never hosted a mill before.
The Hooglandpoldermolen likely dates back to around 1578. It drained the 530-hectare Hooglandspolder. By 1939, an electric pumping station took over. The mill stood without its sails. It served as a dwelling until the 1960s.
The official opening of the Twiskemolen was on March 19, 1975. Since then, it has regularly drained the Twiskepolder. The Twiskemolen stands proudly. It is a testament to Dutch ingenuity and perseverance.
The miller and his wife live in the Twiskemolen. It operates almost every day. The mill drains the 650-hectare polder. The information board next to the mill tells more. It gives passers-by details about how the windmill works.
The Twiskemolen stands as a symbol. It shows the ongoing battle against water. It also demonstrates the innovative spirit of the Netherlands. Take a moment to appreciate this working monument. It is a vital part of the landscape.