Gemaal De Lynden, Historical pumping station in Lijnden, Netherlands.
Gemaal De Lynden is a Gothic Revival pumping station in Lijnden featuring eight suction pumps housed within a brick structure decorated with pointed arches, crenellations, and buttresses. The building combines industrial function with architectural ornament, creating a hybrid structure that serves both practical water management and aesthetic design.
Built in 1849, this station was one of three pumping facilities designed to drain the Haarlemmermeer lake and convert it into farmland. The project represented a major Dutch engineering achievement and succeeded in reclaiming thousands of acres for agricultural use.
The station is named after Frans Godard Baron van Lynden van Hemmen, whose drainage vision transformed the local landscape. Visitors experience this heritage in the renovated boiler house, which now serves as a gathering space reflecting the area's reclaimed character.
The pumping station closed in 2005 and now welcomes visitors who can explore the former boiler house, which operates as a restaurant and event space. Check ahead to learn about available tours that explain the machinery and drainage system in detail.
The pumping equipment came from Harvey and Fox, manufacturers based in Cornwall, England, representing an unusual use of British industrial technology in Dutch water systems. This choice reflects how specialized expertise was sourced internationally during the era of major infrastructure projects.
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