Cultural
Réseau des moulins de Kinderdijk-Elshout
Photo : Lucas Hirschegger (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Located in the Netherlands, this cultural site comprises a network of historic mills that represent a significant example of water management and industrial heritage. The mills were constructed to control water levels in the polders, reflecting the Dutch engineering tradition of managing water in low-lying landscapes. The site demonstrates the technical evolution of mill design and operation over several centuries, showcasing various types of mills including windmills and later steam-powered structures. Visually, the mills are distributed across the landscape and connected by waterways, canals, and dikes that form an integrated water management system. The ensemble illustrates the relationship between human settlement, water control, and industrial development in the Netherlands, making it an important testimony to Dutch hydraulic engineering and cultural practices. The preservation of this mill network provides insight into the technological and social organization of water management in European heritage.
