The tower windmill, De Vrijheid, was built in 1785 and restored in 1972/74. The windmill is one of the largest in the world. It’s still in daily use milling products for bakeries and distilleries (gin distilleries).
Old cast iron upper shaft
Windmill De Vrijheid is unique in that it still has many of its original parts. The windmill has an old cast iron upper shaft that was poured in Schiedam. It’s the oldest of its kind in the Netherlands.
Windmill bug
Volunteer miller, Rob Batenburg, about De Vrijheid: “Since the end of the 70s, De Vrijheid has defined my life. I was active as a volunteer when I was bitten by the windmill bug. I earned my bread and butter when I went to work as a millwright and volunteer miller. I even met my wife in the windmill. Even my children have caught the bug because of De Vrijheid!”.
Milling company
After years of disuse, De Vrijheid is once again a working mill. It has been equipped and fitted with three milling stones. One of which has an electric auxiliary drive. The traditional milling company De Schiedamse Molens (The Schiedam Windmills) is now located here. Call 010-4260044, if you’d like more information about the range of products offered and the prices.
Molen De Vrijheid is only open to the public on some special days.