The Most Frequently Asked Questions About The Windmills Along The Hoornse Vaart.

Are they open to the public?

No, all four windmills are private homes. The gardens are also private.

What kind of windmill are they?

They are windmills designed to pump water. First they used a scoop wheel, which was later replaced by an Archimedean screw. The mechanism to turn the sails to the wind is inside and its eight-sided body is covered with thatch.

When were they built?

They were built between 1627 and 1630. It was when the polder 'The Heerhugowaard' was reclaimed.

Why are they built?

When several 'polders' were being created in this area, conflicts arose about the way they should lead the superfluous water back to the sea. These windmills pumped water from one drainage system to the other, so that capacity wouldn’t be a problem.

Are these windmills still functioning?

Until The Second World War these windmills were in function. Then the water-situation was changed and the canal were the water was pumped into, was filled. Since that time the windmills’ only function was that of a home. After several restoration-projects, all four windmills are again able to turn their sails. Only windmill C, the second from the city-centre, can also pump again. It pumps water in a circuit from the canal back into it.

Are the windmills permanently inhabited?

Yes, all four windmills serve as a home. The residents are all qualified windmillers. They turn the windmills regularly. That way the windmills stay in good shape.

Why is this windmill called 'D'?

Originally they built six windmills along this water. In 1681 the windmill furthest from the city-centre burned down. Then in 1941, when they changed the waterways, there was no room for the windmill closest to Alkmaar. They took it apart and brought it to an open-air museum in Arnhem, where it was hit by an British bomb and destroyed. So the ones that are now left, are B, C, D and E.

Who owns these windmills?

They are owned by a society to protect these windmills, the 'Molenstichting Alkmaar en Omstreken'. The windmills were in bad shape, but with the help of a lot of volunteers, subsidies, good crafts-men and a lot of hard work, they are now all restored.

Are there other windmills in the area that are open to the public?

'Het Rode Hert' is a flour-mill that works during week-days. There is a shop where they sell all kinds of products. You can also tour the windmill. It is in the direction of the city-centre, approximately 500 meters.

Another flour-mill with a shop and open to the public is 'De Otter' in Oterleek.

Also in the polder 'The Schermer' is the Museum Windmill. It is, just like these windmills a water-pumping mill. It is the middle one of three. It is one of only eleven windmills left of the 52 windmills that pumped the Schermer dry from 1634. It can still pump and was made a museum in 1968 to show the public the history of 300 years of reclaiming land by windmill.