Zuidpoldermolen, windmill in Edam, Netherlands
The Zuidpoldermolen is a polder windmill in Edam-Volendam built directly on the ground, representing a traditional Dutch water management structure. The mill features a square shape with octagonal internal framing, wooden construction, and broad sails designed to power the mechanical pump that lifts water from the polder below.
The Zuidpoldermolen was constructed around 1635 to pump excess water from the low-lying polder land, making it suitable for farming and settlement. A steam pump was installed in the late 1800s, reducing the windmill's primary role until it was taken out of service in 1949, though it was restored in the 1960s and again in 1978 to preserve its historic design.
The Zuidpoldermolen carries the name of the polder it was built to drain, serving as a symbol of how local people shaped their relationship with water over centuries. You can see how this windmill represents the ingenuity of farmers and residents who worked the land and made settlement possible through careful water management.
The Zuidpoldermolen is best visited during special open days or by prior arrangement, as it is not usually open to the general public. The mill sits at Burg. Versteeghsingel near the center of Edam and is easy to reach, with nearby cafes and shops where you can spend more time in the area.
The Zuidpoldermolen was fitted with modern replacements in 2014 and 2017, including new thatch and a renewed water system that allows it to operate again and demonstrate how water was moved in the past. These updates preserved its working mechanism while keeping the historic design intact and showing visitors how traditional Dutch water pumping actually functioned.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
