Dutch mill in Polkowice, Smock mill in Polkowice, Poland
The Dutch mill in Polkowice is a brick smock mill with a circular foundation and conical tower located on Głogowska Street. Three floors with rectangular windows arranged symmetrically show the practical structure designed for processing grain into flour.
This structure was built around 1900 when agriculture in Lower Silesia depended heavily on wind-powered mills for grain processing. This building style was imported from the Netherlands and became the established method for milling in the area.
This mill reflects trade connections between the Dutch and this region that shaped the local landscape for generations. Its distinctive design set it apart from other local buildings through the rotating cap and stationary tower that define its silhouette.
The site is currently closed to visitors due to the building's deteriorated condition, but the exterior can be viewed from the street. Those interested in the structure should allow time to examine it from different angles to appreciate the architectural details.
This mill preserves a rare Dutch windmill form with only a handful of similar examples remaining in Lower Silesia. Its fixed tower with a rotating cap on top was an efficient solution for capturing wind without moving the entire structure.
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