Exploring Zaanse Schans: Dutch Heritage Unveiled

Stepping into Zaanse Schans felt like entering a living postcard of old Holland. Just 20 minutes from Amsterdam, this open-air museum hums with windmills, green wooden houses, and the scent of fresh bread. It’s a vibrant slice of Dutch heritage, where history breathes in every corner.

The windmills are Zaanse Schans’ heart, once powering the Zaan region’s industrial boom. I toured De Zoeker, an oil mill still grinding seeds, its creaking sails a testament to 17th-century ingenuity. Other mills, like sawmills and spice mills, showcase the region’s role in global trade. With over 1,200 mills historically in the Zaan, this cluster preserves their legacy.

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