De Bird, Historic windmill in Grou, Netherlands
De Bird is a windmill in Grou built to pump water from the surrounding lowlands and featuring eight wooden blades that catch the wind. The structure displays traditional Dutch construction with a sturdy wooden frame and working mechanical parts inside.
This structure was built in the 19th century to help the local community manage water levels across the flat Frisian landscape. Its design reflects how settlements adapted technology to work with the natural environment they lived in.
The windmill holds meaning as a marker of local identity in Grou, showing how the community has valued its connection to traditional craftsmanship and water management. Walking around it, you notice how residents treat it as part of their everyday landscape.
The windmill sits by a waterway and is easy to reach from Grou center by following the cycling path that runs along the shore. The route is flat and straightforward, making it a comfortable walk or ride to the site.
Inside, the mill keeps its original wooden gears and pump system from earlier times, still working today. These old parts show how craftspeople built and maintained machines using only basic tools and materials.
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