Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal, Steam pumping station and museum in Lemmer, Netherlands
The Wouda Steam Pumping Station features eight steam cylinders and four pumps topped by a 60-meter-high chimney that manages water levels. The building now serves as a museum displaying the technical equipment and how water management worked in earlier times.
Queen Wilhelmina opened this pumping station in 1920 to prevent winter flooding in Friesland. It was built during a time when the Dutch were modernizing their water management and using new technical solutions.
The engine room displays Dutch industrial design with steel trusses, natural stone, and oak wood that create a functional beauty. The skilled craftsmanship and careful material choices show how people once joined technology and aesthetics together.
Visitors can explore the station from Tuesday to Saturday with guided tours, and the visitor center provides information in multiple languages. The best time to visit is during the rare activations when the historic machines actually operate.
The station is the world's largest still-functioning steam pumping station and operates roughly twice a year to regulate Frisian water levels. During these rare activations, visitors can see the machines in full operation, bringing the historic building to life.
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