Bolwerksmolen, windmill in Steenenkamer, Netherlands
The Bolwerksmolen is an octagonal windmill built in 1863 located in Deventer along the Ijssel river. The structure sits on an elevated platform called a stelling and has three large saw blades driven by wind power.
The Bolwerksmolen was built in 1863 by the Elfrink brothers as a wind-powered sawmill serving wood processing for construction projects. After wartime damage in the 1940s, extensive restoration from the 1970s onward, and structural reinforcement in the 2000s, the mill has spun its sails again since 2007, sawing wood as it once did.
The name Bolwerksmolen refers to its location near a historic fortification along the Ijssel river. Visitors can see how this sawmill was woven into daily town life and served as a central place for processing wood in the community.
Access to the mill is via elevated walkways and stairs leading to the stelling platform, which stands about 5.6 meters above ground. Note that the mill is open on specific days and run by volunteers, so it is wise to check opening times beforehand.
The mill was hit by bombs in its immediate vicinity during World War II but unexpectedly remained intact, often regarded as great luck or a result of its sturdy construction. This rare survival amid wartime destruction makes it a special witness to that era.
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