Exploring the Windmills at Kinderdijk
Exploring the windmills at Kinderdijk was a meaningful and picturesque part of our Tauck river cruise.
As the morning sun rose over the Netherlands, our vessel quietly glided into Dordrecht after a night of smooth sailing from Belgium.
It was April 5th, 2025, and though the early morning temperature was a brisk 43ºF, the promise of another sunny day warmed our spirits.
We’ve been remarkably fortunate with the weather on this journey—clear skies have followed us from city to city. And today, we head off to explore the most famous symbol of the Dutch landscape: the windmills of Kinderdijk.
Where Time Stands Still Among the Windmills
Located just a short distance from Dordrecht, Kinderdijk (pronounced KIN-der-dike) is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its 19 majestic windmills. These stoic sentinels were built in the 18th century as part of a water management system designed to protect the surrounding lowlands from flooding—an ongoing challenge in a country where much of the land lies below sea level.
Walking among these centuries-old structures is like stepping back in time. The rhythmic turning of the sails, the quiet murmur of water flowing through the canals, and the wide, open skies evoke a deep sense of connection to the past. For many, it’s a fascinating lesson in Dutch engineering. For me, it was something more.
Returning to My Roots
On my mother’s side, I am Dutch—specifically from Friesland in the northern part of the Netherlands. While my ancestors didn’t work these particular lands around Kinderdijk, I found myself standing quietly among the windmills, reflecting on my great-grandfather. At just 22 years old, he made the bold journey across the Atlantic in 1891, Americanized his name to Joe Josma, and settled in Grand Haven, Michigan—a lakeside community rich with Dutch immigrants and traditions.
As I stood among the canals and iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, I couldn’t help but wonder what he left behind. What drove him to leave? Who did he say goodbye to? I have so many questions now. When I return home, I plan to dig deeper into my family’s Dutch heritage. And who knows—maybe one day, I’ll return to the Netherlands not just as a traveler, but as a descendant seeking connection with relatives I never knew I had.
Why Kinderdijk Matters
Interior of a Windmill
What makes Kinderdijk so compelling isn’t just its postcard-perfect scenery. It’s the story of resilience—how the Dutch have battled water for centuries and turned it into an asset. These windmills aren’t just historical landmarks; they’re working monuments to the Dutch way of life, where nature and innovation must coexist.
Visitors can step inside one of the preserved windmills to see how millers and their families once lived and worked. It’s a humbling experience that fosters appreciation for both the scale of the Dutch waterworks and the simple, rugged beauty of this region.
Planning Your Visit to Kinderdijk
Kinderdijk is an easy half-day excursion from Dordrecht or Rotterdam and is often included in river cruise itineraries, like ours with Tauck. Spring is an ideal time to visit, when the landscape is fresh and green and the weather is crisp but comfortable.
Whether you’re drawn by history, scenery, or a personal connection to Dutch heritage, Kinderdijk is a must-see. It’s not every day you get to walk beside working windmills that have stood for nearly three centuries.
For official visitor information, you can also explore the Kinderdijk UNESCO site.
See More from Our Journey:
This experience was part of our recent Tauck river cruise through Belgium and Holland.
To see all of our daily highlights, reflections, and photos, visit our full cruise landing page here.
For more information or to book a Tauck river cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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This article was written with the aid of Perplexity AI, Grok, or ChatGPT. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
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