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Among the heathlands of the hamlet of Engeland stands a striking landmark: De Zaandplatte windmill. Thirteen windmills once stood within the territory of the former municipality of Ruinen. This is the only one that has survived, and still works to this day.
Relocation
The windmill was built around 1625 in Echten. It stood beside the Hoogeveensche Vaart and was used as a grondzeiler, a type of windmill whose sails can be set from ground level. In 1962, the heavily neglected mill was purchased by the municipality of Ruinen, dismantled and rebuilt on this site.
Rescue effort
After its reconstruction the mill was used as a …
Among the heathlands of the hamlet of Engeland stands a striking landmark: De Zaandplatte windmill. Thirteen windmills once stood within the territory of the former municipality of Ruinen. This is the only one that has survived, and still works to this day.
Relocation
The windmill was built around 1625 in Echten. It stood beside the Hoogeveensche Vaart and was used as a grondzeiler, a type of windmill whose sails can be set from ground level. In 1962, the heavily neglected mill was purchased by the municipality of Ruinen, dismantled and rebuilt on this site.
Rescue effort
After its reconstruction the mill was used as a summer house. The sails were still there, but the mill was no longer operational. When plans emerged to convert it into a pancake restaurant, local residents took action. In 1990, the Stichting Vrienden van De Zaandplatte was founded to preserve the mill as a working monument.
A functioning piece of history
De Zaandplatte is once again a functioning windmill, run by dedicated volunteers. In the past, farmers brought their grain here to be milled, essential for both bread and animal feed. Today visitors come to see this piece of living heritage. The mill recalls a time when wind power was indispensable in everyday life.
Did you know...
The name Zaandplatte refers to the sandy, flat heathland in this part of Drenthe.