{"id":8976,"date":"2023-11-27T11:31:40","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T10:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zaanseschans.com\/sawmill-de-gekroonde-poelenburg\/"},"modified":"2024-06-16T12:04:17","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T11:04:17","slug":"sawmill-de-gekroonde-poelenburg","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.zaanseschans.com\/en\/sawmill-de-gekroonde-poelenburg\/","title":{"rendered":"Sawmill De Gekroonde Poelenburg"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sawmill \u2018De Gekroonde Poelenburg\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\"Sawmill<\/span><\/div>

The entire \u2018paltrok mill\u2019 turns on a ring of rollers. There were once more than 200 of these mills in existence…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sawmill \u2018De Gekroonde Poelenburg\u2019 catches the eye with its distinctive light green color and rather atypical shape. The unusual silhouette of this type of windmill gives rise to the name \u2018paltrok\u2019, which comes from the sleeveless cape or cloak that men once commonly wore. Because the work floor of a paltrok mill is open on three sides, the strikingly painted frame saws bearing warnings such as \u2018Beware\u2019, \u2018Watch out\u2019 and \u2018Then touch\u2019 are clearly visible. Turning the mill to face the wind is accomplished by rotating the entire mill on a ring of stone rollers. The paltrok mill was once a highly successful type of windmill, with hundreds of them previously operating in the region. Only two now remain in the Zaan region, however, and three throughout the rest of the Netherlands. Another striking feature is the \u2018makelaar\u2019 or crown post on the roof ridge at the rear of the mill. This crown post was not just an ornament \u2013 it had a specific function. If the windmill wasn\u2019t properly turned towards the wind, the wind would blow through the slots carved in the post, making a whistling sound that alerted the miller. You can take a closer look at a similar crown post at the Windmill Museum further along the dike.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Sawmill<\/span><\/div>

History<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n

\u2018De Gekroonde Poelenburg\u2019 was erected in Koog aan de Zaan in 1866 as a replacement for another windmill that was to be removed to make way for the construction of the Amsterdam-Alkmaar railway line. Notably, this took place 100 years after the invention of the steam engine, which meant that it was the last paltrok mill to be built in the Zaan region. In 1963, the sawmill was relocated to Zaanse Schans in order to make way for a new housing development that still bears the name \u2018Poelenburg\u2019. The mill was first painted entirely black, but when its thorough restoration commenced in 2004, the exterior was reconstructed with planks and the windmill was repainted in its original green. The opportunity was also taken at this time to restore the \u2018getrapte weeg\u2019 (\u2018stepped wall\u2019) \u2013 the partially overlapping structure of the planks on the mill body. <\/span><\/em> \"\" Reconstruction of paltrok sawmill \u2018De Gekroonde Poelenburg\u2019 in Zaanse Schans in 1963. Hulling mill \u2018De Grootvorst\u2019 had previously stood at this location, but it was completely destroyed by fire in 1928.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

< back to the map<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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National monument approx. 1866
\nRelocated in 1963
\n(formerly located on De Gouw, Zaandam)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>