De Gekroonde Poelenburg, Paltrock windmill in Zaanse Schans, Netherlands.
De Gekroonde Poelenburg is a paltrock sawmill with an open structure featuring three exposed sides that rests on wooden rollers placed on a brick foundation. The building rotates on a rolling ring system to align with changing wind direction.
The mill was built in 1866 in Koog aan de Zaan and relocated several times before arriving at Zaanse Schans in 1963. This move preserved the structure from deterioration at its original location.
The mill represents traditional Dutch sawing methods and stands as one of only two surviving paltrock sawmills in the Zaanstreek region.
Choose windy days to see the mill operating and the characteristic rotation of the entire structure in action. Viewing the building from multiple angles helps you understand how the rolling ring system works.
The exterior underwent restoration in 2005, recovering its original green paint based on historical records. This work replaced the black tar coating that had protected the mill for decades.
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