The hours and address provided are for the museum located onsite by the Zaanse Schans windmills.
Zaanse Schans, nestled in Zaandam, is a picturesque outdoor museum that beautifully showcases Dutch heritage. Just a short bike ride from the Zaandijk Zaanse Schans train station, where visitors can conveniently rent bicycles (Correction: This was the case, but the location right outside the station is no longer there. You may still find rentals in the bike parking area though), this charming site features a lovely path winding through green fields and along the river, leading to each iconic structure. The museum is a vibrant hub for those wishing to delve into the traditional Dutch industrial past, offering a close look at the architectural styles and crafts that have been preserved to convey a sense of the historical lifestyle in the Netherlands.
The windmills are the stars of Zaanse Schans, each with its unique character and historical significance. Visitors can explore De Huisman (a mustard mill), De Gekroonde Poelenburg (a sawmill), De Kat (a paint mill), and De Os, which intriguingly has no blades and serves as a captivating visual piece in the landscape. Other notable mills include Het Jonge Schaap (a sawmill) and De Zoeker (an oil mill). These windmills not only function as a reminder of the past but also actively demonstrate the crafts they were built for, offering a hands-on experience. Workshops within the village, like those for wooden clog and cheese making, further enrich the visitor experience, making Zaanse Schans a truly immersive journey into Dutch culture and history.
