De Blokker, Ground level polder windmill in Kinderdijk, Netherlands.
De Blokker is a ground level polder windmill in Alblasserdam built with traditional Dutch construction and rotating sails. The structure uses a pyramid pump mechanism to move water and features the characteristic design elements typical of drainage mills from that era.
The mill was built in 1630 and demonstrates early Dutch techniques for managing water in the flat landscape of the Alblasserwaard region. For centuries it functioned as an essential tool for draining land and controlling water levels across the area.
The name De Blokker refers to its function in water regulation, and visitors can see the handcrafted construction and well-maintained technical details that reflect Dutch engineering traditions. It forms part of the Kinderdijk windmill network, demonstrating how such structures shaped agricultural life and land management across the Netherlands.
The mill is located at Blokweerschekade 7 in Kinderdijk and is easily accessible from outside. Guided tours are available to explain the mechanics of water management and how the pyramid pump system operates.
The structure uses a rare pyramid pump system, with only a handful of functioning examples remaining in the modern era. This pump technology was an innovation specifically developed for flat polder landscapes, where traditional water wheels were less effective.
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