By Gualtiero Buonamassa.
Zaanse Schans is a fully inhabited, open-air conservation area and museum located just a few miles north of Amsterdam. Here you can get a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. The area consist of authentic houses, a historic shipyard, a pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm, a age-old grocery store, clog-making demonstrations, and above all, lots of windmills.
It can’t get more Dutch than at Zaanse Schans. Most Dutch icons, such as clogs, mills and cheese, are represented here. This presentation of Dutch life attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
First Industrial Site in the World
Some 250 years ago, well over 600 windmills were cramped into this relatively small area. Together they formed the first industrial site in the world. They performed a wide range of industrial duties, such as producing shelves, paint, mustard, oil and paper. Today the mills offer wonderful views, best seen from a boat tour on the Zaan river. You can also visit three of these age-old mills and have a look inside.
SPECIFICATIONS for Visitors
Free entrance except for Musea and windmils.
AutoParking is close to entrance but not free. You may do the payment with credit card
Travelling with train : Take the stoptrain from Amsterdam CS direction Alkmaar untill station
Koog-Zaandijk and few minutes walking to Zaanse Schans.
Travelling with Bus : From Amsterdam CS. Bus 91
Travelling with auto : A8 exit Purmerend A7 en follow indication Zaanse Schans
Adres
Schansend 7
1509 AW Zaandam
075-6810000
