De Kleine Molen, Polder windmill in Stiens, Netherlands.
De Kleine Molen is a polder windmill in Stiens with an eight-sided wooden structure covered in thatch that rests on a low foundation. The mill uses or used wind power and electricity to pump water out of the surrounding land through a centrifugal system.
The mill was built in 1913 as Binnema's Molen and underwent complete reconstruction in 1988. Following this overhaul, it was moved around 60 meters to its current location.
The mill represents a traditional way of managing water and protecting farmland that shaped how people lived in this region for centuries. Its octagonal wooden form with thatch remains a familiar sight to locals who understand its role in keeping their polder dry.
Access to the mill is by appointment only, so plan ahead before visiting. The Stichting De Fryske Mole foundation manages the site and arranges viewings as needed.
The mill is one of the smallest octagonal windmills in the Netherlands, with sails spanning only 9 meters. This small scale shows how water pumping systems could work effectively even in compact form.
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