Kinderdijk

August 9, 2025

After spending a few days in Amsterdam exploring art and design, I traveled to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its iconic row of windmills and ingenious water management systems. To get there, I took the waterbus from Rotterdam, which was a fun and scenic way to travel—gliding along the rivers and canals gave a different perspective on the Dutch landscape and offered a smooth, quiet transition from the city to the countryside.

Kinderdijk itself is remarkably peaceful. The flat, open terrain, dotted with tall grasses and still water, feels expansive and calm. Walking along the canals, with the windmills lined up in the distance, it’s easy to see why this area draws visitors from around the world. The setting is both beautiful and functional—these windmills were built not for scenery, but for survival. For centuries, they’ve helped control flooding and manage water levels in a country where much of the land sits below sea level.

One of the highlights of the visit was being able to go inside several of the windmills. Stepping through the low doors and climbing the narrow stairs, I was able to see the inner workings up close—the gears, shafts, and wooden beams that power the mechanism, all driven by the turning blades above. It’s impressive how much craftsmanship and precision went into these structures, especially considering how long they’ve been operating. 

What stood out most was the way engineering and tradition come together at Kinderdijk. These windmills are not only historical landmarks—they’re part of an ongoing system of water management that still plays a role today, alongside modern technology. The site presents a clear example of how design can meet necessity, and how solutions from the past can continue to inspire future approaches to environmental challenges.

The visit to Kinderdijk offered a nice change of pace and focus from the museums in Amsterdam, and now off to Delft!