Wijnsermolen, windmill in Wyns, Netherlands
Wijnsermolen is a windmill built in 1871 near the village of Wyns in Friesland, Netherlands. It is a grondzeiler type with a square wooden body positioned close to the ground, designed to pump water from the polder and recognized as a national heritage monument.
The mill was built in 1871 to drain the Wijnserpolder and operated for nearly a century using wind power. Major changes occurred in the 1930s with a new pumping mechanism, in 1970 with updated sails, and from 1994 to 1995 when the Frisian windmill foundation undertook comprehensive restoration.
The mill reflects how local communities in Friesland have long managed water as part of their daily landscape. It remains a visible reminder of the practical skills and knowledge that shaped how people lived and worked in low-lying polder areas.
The mill sits peacefully among open fields and is best accessed on foot or by bike, especially via the narrow country roads with wildflower borders nearby. Check ahead for open days or guided visits, as the site is maintained by volunteers.
In 2006, trees and shrubs surrounding the mill were cut back to make it more visible and allow wind to reach the sails more easily. Today it serves as a reserve pumping station, ready to remove excess water during heavy rain or flooding emergencies.
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