De Oudkerkermolen, Polder windmill in Aldtsjerk, Netherlands.
De Oudkerkermolen is an octagonal wooden mill with a stone foundation and thatched roof located in a polder village. It operates at ground level as a water-lifting mill, moving water between channels and fields as needed.
Local farmers built this mill in 1864 to manage water levels across the surrounding land. The structure has been adapted over time to continue serving the region's water needs.
The name references an old church that once stood nearby, giving this place its identity. Visitors can observe how the mill remains woven into community life and demonstrates water management for the surrounding farmland.
Visitors can view the mill from the outside and explore the surrounding village on foot. Tours can be arranged, so asking ahead about availability is wise to see the machinery in operation.
Some of its components come from different eras, as the mill has been repaired with replacement parts over the decades. This patchwork makes it a living example of how such structures are practically maintained in use.
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