Penninga's Molen, Stellingmill in Joure, Netherlands
Penninga's Molen is a three-story wooden stellingmill with a traditional thatched roof that rises prominently above the surrounding landscape. The structure functions as a gristmill where grain was ground using methods that harken back to earlier craftsmanship.
The building was constructed in 1692 in Westzaan as a paper mill and relocated to Joure in 1900 under miller Auke Sietzes Penninga. This move helped replace an older facility that had become inadequate for the community's grinding needs.
The mill served as a gathering place for millers in the region who shared knowledge and refined their craft. Today it reflects how traditional milling skills were valued and passed down through generations.
The interior is open for visits on Saturday mornings from nine to noon, with the option to arrange appointments at other times. Interested visitors should contact ahead if they wish to see it outside regular weekend hours.
In 2000 the mill was painted in the distinctive Zaanse style to honor its origins in Westzaan and mark a century since its relocation. This colorful treatment sets it apart visually from other mills in the region.
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