Relics of the Past

Zaanse Schans, Zaandam, Netherlands

Windmills are usually associated with The Netherlands. I am guessing that the association is due to the fact that there were once over 10,000 windmills throughout the country. Today, only 10% of the windmills are still standing, and most of these are non-functional. Despite that, we were determined to get a chance to see them when we visited Amsterdam.

Fortunately there is an open air conservation area and museum just outside Amsterdam in Zaanse Schans. There, along the banks of the Zaan River, the museum has six working windmills. Each one of these relics are adorned with great bright colors, and they really stand out against the river and sky.