Historic Windmill (built in 1716, restored 1974)

Buren is a small fortified town in the Betuwe region of Gelderland, not far from Culemborg, and its windmill is one of the landmarks on its edge. The mill dates from 1716 and was restored in 1974, and its silhouette, with the sails turning above the polder and the old town beyond, is the picture most people have in mind when they think of a Dutch village. It is a good example of the many corn mills that once stood across the river area, grinding grain into flour for farmers and bakers.

Understanding the town helps place the mill. Buren has a long history and a connection with the Dutch royal family: William of Orange acquired the title Count of Buren through his first marriage in the sixteenth century, and the title is still associated with the Orange family. The town was once a stronghold, and its ramparts and moat survive in part, giving a small, tight old centre with narrow streets, low houses and a quiet atmosphere. Buren is also home to art galleries, and one of them shows the work of Anjo de Jong.

A mill of this age is a wooden machine inside a brick or timber body. The cap, which carries the sails, can be turned into the wind, and the force of the sails is transmitted through the wooden gearing to the millstones that grind the grain. The miller adjusted the sails by hand to suit the strength of the wind, a skill that was passed from one generation to the next. After restoration, mills are often kept operational by volunteers, who open them on special days, and visitors can sometimes go inside to see the gears and stones.

Visits need planning. Access to the interior is limited, and the mill may be open only on certain days, so check the local information before travelling. The exterior is accessible at all times, and the surrounding fields and dikes are popular for walking and cycling. The Betuwe is known for its fruit orchards, and blossom time in spring is the best season for photographs.

The windmill suits cyclists, photographers and those interested in traditional crafts and engineering. Combine it with a walk around the ramparts and the old centre of Buren and perhaps a stop at one of the galleries or cafes. An hour is enough for the mill and the surrounding streets, and longer if you plan a longer cycle along the river dikes.