De Hoop, Smock windmill in Elden, Netherlands.
De Hoop is a round stone mill with white-painted walls standing on a small hill in Elden, featuring traditional grinding stones inside its structure. The building maintains its original form as a protected national monument and continues to function as both a landmark and working cultural site.
The mill was built in 1846 and operated with wind power until 1931, when traditional grinding production stopped. The building was later restored and now preserves its historic appearance and heritage value.
The mill preserves Dutch milling traditions through hand-operated stone grinding and holds the status of an official wedding venue for Arnhem municipality. Visitors can experience how this place remains connected to both craft heritage and local life events.
The mill is open to visitors on Saturdays, where fresh-ground flour and local goods are available for purchase from an on-site shop. The elevated location on a hill means you should wear comfortable footwear and allow time to explore both the building and the surrounding area.
The mill contains a specialized belt-driven hoisting mechanism called kammenluiwerk that uses traditional gearing to lift and move grain. This rare mechanical solution demonstrates the ingenuity of earlier millers in solving practical challenges with the tools available to them.
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