De Eenhoorn, Wind powered sawmill in Schalkwijk district, Haarlem, Netherlands.
De Eenhoorn is a sawmill with a black tarred wooden structure on the eastern side of the Spaarne River near Haarlem. The mill features four saw frames for cutting timber and sits on a stone foundation that has kept it in place at this location for generations.
The mill was built before 1776 at a location where a sawmill was already mentioned in 1615. The name De Eenhoorn first appears in a deed from 1721 and shows the long history of timber work on the Spaarne.
The mill represents Dutch craftsmanship traditions and shows how people in this region worked with timber and passed down their skills through generations. Visitors can observe how the old techniques still function and what role such mills played in the town's daily life.
The mill still functions and shows visitors old timber-cutting techniques in action. It is helpful to check ahead about operating times, since sawing is not done every day and schedules can vary with the seasons.
The mill uses a special balance system with lead weights instead of heavy stones to stay stable while sawing. These innovative weights allow for finer control and made working with the machinery safer and more reliable.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
