De Zoeker, Oil windmill at Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
De Zoeker is a wooden oil mill with large rotating sails and traditional grinding equipment located at Zaanse Schans in Zaanstad. The building uses wooden and metal gearwork to press and process oils from seeds.
This oil mill was built in 1672 in Zaandijk as an oil pressing facility. In 1891 it was converted to a paint mill before being relocated to its current location later.
Oil milling was essential to daily life in this region for centuries, and this structure demonstrates how people extracted oils from different seeds using traditional methods. Visitors can observe the wooden gears and grinding mechanisms to understand the craftsmanship required for this work.
The mill is accessible via Zaandijk Zaanse Schans train station, which connects from Amsterdam. Visitors should expect uneven or slippery paths, especially in wet weather, and wear sturdy footwear.
The upper section of the mill was transported by rail and water to its current location in the 1950s, a remarkable engineering feat for that era. This carefully orchestrated move demonstrates the ingenuity of craftspeople and engineers in preserving historical structures.
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