Dutch Secret Weapon - That Conquered Water
Dutch windmills, every tourist that comes to the Netherlands takes pictures of them.
But few realise that these brilliant structures served a great role to win back land from the sea.
Windmills are said to have existed in Holland from about 1200. The first record we have of drainage mills dates from 1414. Before those days, windmills are mentioned, but these must have been corn mills.
The Dutch people are well known for their ability to manage water, build bridges and are masters of constructing dikes for protection against the seas.
I just came across this elevated windmill and wanted to share some history alongside the photograph.
Sources:
http://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-page/the-netherlands/the-dutch-and-water-in-the-netherlands
http://www.let.rug.nl/polders/boekje/history.htm
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