Molen De Fortuin

Molen De Fortuin is a windmill in Hattem, a small historic town on the IJssel river in Gelderland, close to Zwolle. It is an octagonal mill, the classic form of a Dutch grain mill, standing on the old town rampart at Molenbelt. The mill dates from the early nineteenth century, 1816 according to the date generally given, and replaced an earlier mill that was lost to a storm. It grinds grain using only the wind, and it is looked after by a team of volunteers who keep it in working order and give visitors a chance to see how it operates.

A windmill of this type is a machine as much as a monument. The cap with the sails turns to face the wind, and the rotation of the sails is passed down through a series of wooden gears to the millstones, which grind wheat into flour. The part of the gearing known as the break wheel is a large, heavy component that takes much of the strain, and replacing it is a major repair, which shows how much work goes into keeping an old mill running. Visitors who go up inside the mill can see the gears, the stones and the sack hoist, and hear the creaking of the timbers when the sails turn.

The mill has a link with the town's other attractions. Flour from the mill is used by the nearby bakery museum, the Dutch Bakery Museum The Warm Land, where the history of baking is shown, so grain, mill and bread are part of one story. The Anton Pieck Museum is also in Hattem, showing the work of the illustrator best known for his nostalgic scenes of old Dutch towns, and the narrow streets of the old centre feel a little like one of his drawings. Hattem is a Hanseatic town with a well preserved centre and parts of its city defences.

A visit is relaxed. The mill is open at set times, usually staffed by a miller who explains the workings, and visits are often free, with donations welcome to help with the costs of upkeep. Because it relies on the wind and on volunteers, opening times are limited, so check before travelling. Tours suit adults and children alike, and children enjoy seeing the sails turn.

The mill suits families, people interested in engineering and traditional crafts, and visitors who like to explore small historic towns. Pair it with a walk through the old town and the IJssel river bank.