Dutch Windmills Trivia Quiz

Answer: 13th century

The use of windmills in the Netherlands started in the 13th century, when they were used primarily for draining swamps and marshes. This was necessary because much of the land in the Netherlands was below sea level and prone to flooding. The windmills were able to pump water out of the low-lying areas and create more arable land for farming.

The first windmill in the Netherlands was probably a post mill, which is a type of windmill that has a wooden body mounted on a vertical post. The body can be turned around the post to face the wind direction. Post mills were simple and cheap to build, but they had some disadvantages, such as being unstable and vulnerable to strong winds.

Later, other types of windmills were developed, such as tower mills and smock mills.

Answer: Grinding grains

The first windmill in the Netherlands was built in the village of Alkmaar in the year 1221. It was a post mill, which is a type of windmill that has a wooden body mounted on a vertical post. The body can be turned around the post to face the wind direction. It was used for grinding grains.

Answer: 1,200

There were only around 1,200 windmills still existing in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 21st century, as fewer and fewer windmills were being used and maintained.

Some of the reasons for the decline of windmills was the introduction of steam engines, diesel engines, and electric motors, which replaced the need for wind power. Also, some windmills were destroyed by fires, storms, or wars.

Answer: Kinderdijk

The village of Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the beginning of the 21st century the Site had 19 windmills that were built in the 18th century.
They were part of a larger water management system that was designed to prevent flooding in the low-lying region of the Alblasserwaard.
The windmills helped to pump water out of the polders and into a reservoir, from where it could be discharged into the river Lek.

Answer: Tower mill

The type of windmill that has a rotating cap that can turn the sails into the wind is called a tower mill. It has a fixed stone or brick tower that supports a wooden cap that can rotate to catch the wind. Tower mills have more space and stability than post mills, and can house more machinery and sails.

They were often used for industrial purposes, such as sawing wood, milling oil, or producing paper.

Answer: De Nieuwe Palmboom

At the beginning of the 21st century, the largest windmill in the world was a windmill located in Schiedam (a city near Rottterdam) called De Nieuwe Palmboom (The New Palm Tree) with a height of 43.3 meters (142 feet). It was built in 1781 as an oil mill, but it burned down in 1905. It was rebuilt in 1993 as a museum and a working mill.

Answer: Klompen

The traditional wooden shoes worn by most windmill operators are called klompen. They are made from poplar or willow wood and are carved by hand or by machine. They are comfortable, durable, and waterproof, and they protect the feet from cold, wet, or sharp objects.

They are also easy to put on and take off, which is convenient for working in muddy or wet conditions. In English, they are called wooden shoes.

Answer: Wipstok

The mechanism that automatically adjusts the angle of the sails according to the wind speed and direction is called a wipstok (whip stick). It is a long wooden pole that is attached to one of the sails and extends beyond the cap of the windmill. It has a weight at its end that moves up or down depending on the wind force.

This movement changes the angle of the sail by pulling or releasing a rope that is connected to it.

Answer: National Mill Day

The annual event that celebrates windmills and their heritage in the Netherlands is called National Mill Day. It takes place on the second Saturday and Sunday of May every year. On this occasion, hundreds of windmills across the country open their doors to visitors and demonstrate their operation. Some also offer guided tours, exhibitions, workshops, or other activities.

Answer: Vincent van Gogh

The Dutch painter who painted several famous scenes of windmills is Vincent van Gogh. He was one of the most influential artists of the 19th century and is known for his expressive use of color and brushstrokes. He painted many landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and self-portraits during his short and troubled life.

Some of his paintings that feature windmills are The Starry Night (1889), Wheat Field with Cypresses (1889), and Windmill near Nuenen (1885).