Arkens

Arkens is a polder windmill in Franeker with an octagonal wooden structure designed to pump water from surrounding land. The mill works through a system of gears and an Archimedes screw that lifts water from the polder to maintain proper drainage levels.

The mill was built in 1835 to drain the Arkens polder and protect farming and residential areas from flooding. It was moved to a new location in 1972 and then underwent major restoration work to preserve the structure.

The name comes from the polder it was built to drain, reflecting how Dutch windmills were named after the lands they served. This shows the deep connection between the mills and the farming communities that depended on them.

The mill sits on Van Andel-Ripkestraat in Franeker and is easy to reach on foot with clear views from the street. The best time to visit is during daytime with good weather so you can see the wooden structure and mechanical details clearly.

This mill is the only one in the Netherlands fitted with specially designed Butterfly sails, a modification made in 1910. These unusual wings were developed to improve water pumping performance in changing wind conditions.

GPS coordinates: 53.18806,5.55748

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:00