Sunday, May 04, 2014

Zaanse Schans, Windmill Landmark of Netherlands

Central Europe 5th part: 3-days in Benelux States: Netherlands
October 17 to October 19, 2013 

I arrived at 2230H in Amsterdam Central Train Station and tried looking for cheapest rate at all nearby hostel. Unfortunately, all of them were fully booked due Saturday is a peak day for Amsterdam. I decided just to stay outside the Central Station, so frustrated not to taste the famous local beers. While looking around, I saw bulletin of bus designation which I immediately studied due the Tourist Information Office will open at 0900H. I left Central Station at 0600H.

How to go to Zaanse Schans;
From Amsterdam Central Train Station, I rode public bus #391 (industry heritage line) at 4 Euro fare for around 45 minutes travel time. Free Admission. Photography and Video is allowed. Lots of good buy souvenir items inside. Opens everyday from 0700H to 1700H.

The story begins with the windmills, the very first factories in the Zaan region. There are still a number of working windmills at the Zaanse Schans. They are used to press oil, to saw wood, to grind dyes or to make paper. Within walking distance of Koog-Zaijk railway station, their history is on show at the windmill museum (Molenmuseum).

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands (De Kat, De Zoeker, Het Jonge Schaap)

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands (Het Jonge Schaap, De Zoeker, De Kat)

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands (De Kat)

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands (De Zoeker)

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands (De Kat)

The Zaan region is perfect for exploring by bicycle. Boating on the Zaan is also great experience, whether by taking a cruise ship, a boat trip on the Zaanhopper or simply by crossing over the Zaan to the Zaanse Schans on the foot passenger ferry. Cycling, walking or passing by a boat you can make trips which are like threading pearls along the Zaan. You will see the stately residences of local merchants, the Zaanse Schans itself, historic warehouses and industrial complexes and quaint shopping streets.

There are 6 windmills inside comprising of "De Huisman" (spice mill), "De Gekroonde Poelenburg" (saw mill), "De Kat" (paint mill), "De Zoeker" (oil mill), "Het Jonge Schaap" (saw mill) and "De Bonte Hen" (oil mill). There are also 5 museums inside; Bakery museum, Grocery shop museum, Museum of the Dutch clock, Distillery museum and Zaanse Museum & Verkade Pavilion.

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands

Zaanse Schans, windmill landmark of Netherlands


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