Nederland - Ruinen, De Zaandplatte

De Zaandplatte is a windmill in a hamlet called Engeland, just outside the village of Ruinen and nearby National Park Dwingelderveld. Its name is derived from its current location, a former piece of ferocious land with the name De Zaandplatte.

It is a thatched, octagonal wooden ‘belt mill’ (belt is a man made elevation) dating from 1964. Although originally the mill - dating back to the end of the 18th century - stood in the village of Echten and was in a bad state of dilapidation. It was demolished in 1962 and rebuilt and put back in operation about 9 km’s away on its current location. In the past Ruinen had thirteen windmills, De Zaandplatte is the only remaining one.

Initially the rebuilt mill was used as a holiday home. After the restoration at the end of the 20th century the ownership of the mill was transferred by the municipality to a foundation Vrienden van de Ruiner Molen. Since then the mill is grinding again and is running on a voluntary basis.

In 2007 De Zaandplatte was chosen as the most beautiful mill of the province of Drenthe. Although with limited hours, the mill is open for visitors.