Nederland - Kampen, d’Olde Zwarver

In the 19th century eight windmills were active in Kampen. Flourmill d’Olde Zwarver is the only one left. The history of d 'Olde Zwarver is dating back to 1842, when its predecessor de Voorste Molen burnt down. In 1865 the mill was sold, yet difficult times for the mills were coming. Steam engines came up and mills were dependent on wind; secondly the urbanisation of Kampen with higher buildings took the wind away from the windmill. In 1913 a gas turbine was installed in d'Olde Zwarver and the mill remained in use till 1949.

In 1952 a new owner of the mill - a dairy factory - wanted to expand its factory and the mill had to be demolished. A huge protest arose from the inhabitants of Kampen. At that time the number of windmills in the Netherlands had been decreasing dramatically and this mill was the last one in Kampen. Due to the reactions, the factory handed over the mill to the municipality of Kampen. A new location was found at the Herkenhoofd, not far away from the original place and the idea arose to move the mill as a whole. This had not been done ever before. On April 7th, 1952, the mill was carried 550 meters by a huge truck with 48 wheels to its current location along the river IJssel. This spectacular relocation caused the name of the mill: d’Olde Zwarver (the Old Vagabond).

The mill was restored several times - the last time from 1999 till 2001 - but nowadays is still in operation. Since the 70s of last century millers voluntarily keep this "living" cultural heritage spinning and grinding.