Visit the world's tallest windmills in Schiedam
May 21, 2024
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Are you looking for a unique outing in the Netherlands that is fun for adults and children? Then visit the Babbersmolen in Schiedam. The Babbersmolen is a polder mill from 1710. It is the oldest stone polder mill in the Netherlands and was used to beat out excess water on the Poldervaart. Today at the Babbersmolen you can not only delve into history, but also playfully learn a lot about a classic example of water management. Curious? Then read on quickly to discover what you can experience at the Babbersmolen in Schiedam.
The Babbersmolen: the oldest stone polder mill in the Netherlands
We all know that the windmills in the Netherlands are a piece of cultural heritage. Dutch glory of which we, the Dutch, are only too proud. But what exactly makes the Babber mill in Schiedam so special?
The Babber mill is an authentic polder mill from the eighteenth century, but it already had an ancient predecessor. A polder mill is a windmill that moves water from a lower level to a higher level. In the case of the Babbersmolen, this was to drain the Babberspolder. The polder mill has managed the water of this polder for centuries. The Babbersmolen is a unique mill in the Netherlands. To this day it is the only remaining polder mill with a tower and is also the oldest existing stone polder mill in the country.
From ground sailor to scaffold mill
Polder mills traditionally stood in open polder landscape and were ground-sailors. This meant that the sails turned to just above the ground and the miller could operate the mill from the mill yard. After the railroad line between Rotterdam and Corner of Holland was constructed, the Babbersmolen was forced to be raised 3 meters to continue catching enough wind. The Babbersmolen was then fitted with a counter (the scaffolding that is still there today). In 1897, the wooden scoop wheel was replaced by an iron scoop wheel.
A fun fact is that the Quaker advertisement on the hull of the mill also dates back to the early twentieth century (although now restored). In fact, because of the passing train traffic, the mill was the ideal place for an advertisement.
The miller's house in Babbersmolen
A visit to the Babber Mill is equivalent to an immersion in history. What makes the Babber Mill super interesting, then, is that inside the mill is a reconstruction of life in the 1920s. At that time, the polder miller family literally lived off wind, land and water. They were therefore completely dependent on nature. A miller's grinding wage was not nearly enough to live on, so the miller family supported themselves by using everything around them.
In addition to wind rights, the miller also had fishing rights, for example, so eels were caught to sell to passing fish buyers. Willow from their own willow grove was also used for firewood and to make tools. The outbuilding, also called Summer House, used to contain a stable for several cows. In the winter the cows stayed here and in the summer the miller's family used this as an additional living area. Here, for example, butter and cheese were also made. There was also a vegetable garden, there were chickens, small livestock and a duck decoy.
A look inside the miller's house
As you walk through the mill, you really imagine yourself in the 1920s. Especially when you contemplate the miller's house with the bed box, the low tables and small chairs and the details like the antique crockery, the clothing and the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant. How different life must have been back then. We found it fascinating to learn about the life of a miller and would like to use a time machine.
The water education project the mini-Babberpolder
Next to the Babbersmolen is the mini-Babberspolder, an education project of the Schiedam Mills. The Babber mill operated as a water pumping station until 1955. Then this was taken over by other electric pumping stations in the area. However, the mini-Babberspolder still shows very well how water management was regulated for centuries. As a visitor, you can flood the mini-polder with ditches and then grind it dry with a large wooden scoop wheel. The water is then moved to the mini-Poldervaart with working floodgates. This is especially fun to do with children because it allows them to playfully experience exactly how the Dutch water system worked.
Helpful tips prior to your visit to the Babber Mill
The Babbersmolen is open from mid-March to the end of October every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are also regular fun events, such as Open Monument Day. A visit to the Babbersmolen is not only a very nice outing, but also an inexpensive outing in the Netherlands. In fact, the entrance fee on normal Saturdays is €1.50 per person and €1.00 for children. Paid group visits are also possible on other days by arrangement, and you can also rent the annex for meetings and workshops.
Address: Schiedamsedijk 2a, 3117 HA Schiedam. Best to navigate to the Laan van Spieringshoek where you will find free parking.
Schiedam as a mill town
Did you know that Schiedam is home to the tallest classic windmills in the world? Once there were more than 30 windmills in the city, grinding grain for burners, who then distilled malt wine for the gin industry. Today you can still admire eight mills in Schiedam: De Walvisch, De Drie Koornbloemen, De Nolet, De Vrijheid, De Noord, De Palmboom, De Kameel and the Babbersmolen. Schiedam therefore lends itself incredibly well to a historical city walk along the photogenic windmills. We have written an article about the mills of Schiedam With all our tips!
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