De Gekroonde Poelenburg, Paltrock sawmill in Zaanstad, 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, exposing its cutting machinery to visitors.

The first mill on the original site was recorded in 1733, named after owner Pieter Jochemsz. Poelenburg, and burned down in 1903. A replacement built in Koog aan de Zaan in 1867 was moved here in 1963 and later renamed after the old site.

The open frame with its large saws shows how wind power once cut logs into boards for shipbuilding and housing. Visitors today can stand close enough to hear the gears rattle and see the upright frame saws move when the sails turn.

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 without needing to go inside.

A small crown post on the roof makes a whistling sound when the mill is not facing the wind correctly. This simple acoustic signal tells the miller to rotate the structure without looking at the sails.