De Zwaluw, Gristmill in Oudemolen, Netherlands.
De Zwaluw is a three-story wooden structure with a thatched roof and brick foundation located in Oudemolen, featuring four working sails for grain milling. The building combines traditional Dutch mill design with the practical machinery needed to process grain throughout the day.
The mill was constructed in 1837 using salvaged components from a demolished mill in Schipborg and replacing an earlier post mill structure at the same location. It received Rijksmonument status in 2003, granting it official protection as a nationally significant cultural landmark.
The mill represents a connection to traditional grain processing practices that shaped rural Dutch life, with its working machinery still demonstrating methods from centuries past. Visitors can see how such structures were central to community survival and identity.
The mill opens on specific days when the grinding machinery operates and visitors can observe the working mechanisms inside. Plan your visit accordingly since access is limited to certain hours, and be prepared for narrow stairs and traditional architectural features typical of historic mills.
An internal sail stock component dates to a 1951 restoration and was crafted by renowned mill engineer Christiaan Bremer. This particular piece is among the few surviving examples of Bremer's work and demonstrates the skilled craftsmanship of that restoration period.
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