De Adriaan, Industrial windmill at Spaarne River, Haarlem, Netherlands.
De Adriaan is a mill standing on the Spaarne River in Haarlem, built on the foundation of a former defensive tower. The white-walled structure contains wooden gears and multiple floors with exhibition spaces inside.
The mill was first built in 1779 by Adriaan de Boois for cement production and was destroyed by fire in 1932. It reopened in 2002 after being restored and converted into a museum and exhibition space.
The mill displays how grain was processed into flour using traditional Dutch methods across its interior spaces. Visitors can see the actual machinery and understand the daily work of millers from centuries past.
Guided tours are offered daily, with different times on weekdays and weekends. It helps to check current opening hours before visiting and dress warmly since the interior can be cool.
The mill processed different materials across its history, including limestone, shells, tobacco and corn for various industrial needs. This shift in purpose shows how the local economy and trade changed over the centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
