De Passiebloem, Oil windmill in Zwolle, Netherlands
De Passiebloem is an oil mill in Zwolle located on Vondelkade, built on a raised platform that allowed millers to operate the sails effectively. The structure enabled processing of linseed, rapeseed, and walnut oils using wind power.
The mill was built in 1776 to extract oils from seeds using wind power. It gained national monument status in 1967, recognizing its role in Dutch industrial history.
The name references the passion flower that once decorated earlier buildings on this site. Today, visitors witness how oil production shaped local identity and daily life in the community.
The mill offers guided visits on select dates throughout the year, making it easy to see operations up close. It is best to check current opening times in advance, as these may vary seasonally.
The mill remains fully operational and is maintained by a group of around 170 volunteers who ensure it can still produce oil. This makes it one of the few oil mills in Europe where actual oil production continues today.
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