De Weyert, Grain windmill in Makkinga, Netherlands.
De Weyert is an octagonal tower mill with two stories and a platform at the second level, powered by four patent sails spanning 19 meters (62 feet). Inside, French Burr millstones measuring 1.40 meters (4.6 feet) in diameter grind the grain.
The mill was built in 1868 as a sawmill in Gorredijk and later converted to grain milling. It was moved to Twijtel in 1912 and relocated to its current home in Makkinga during 1925.
The mill is named after miller Weyert Zeephat, who worked here for decades and shaped how people in the area understood grain milling. Visitors can watch traditional techniques still in practice today.
Plan your visit around the mill's operating times, as it remains an active workplace. Wear comfortable shoes since the interior has narrow stairs and multiple levels to explore.
What sets this mill apart is its use of self-folding flaps instead of traditional sails, an adaptation that lets the blades adjust automatically in strong winds. This engineering solution was ahead of its time.
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