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Stepping Back in Time at Zaanse Schans

September 28, 2026

2 of the 10 historic windmills at Zaanse Schans. Around 6-8 mills actively turn and operate, performing traditional industrial tasks like grinding spices, pressing oil, sawing wood, and making paint pigments.

Signature green and white houses. The deeper the green, the more prestigious.

Today I joined a small-group tour and visited Zaanse Schans, a historic village in Zaandam, just north of Amsterdam. 18th and 19th century windmills and distinctive green wooden houses were relocated here to preserve the character of a traditional Dutch village. It is a beschermd dorpsgezicht, or “protected village view” yet people actually occupy some of the heritage houses.

The small protruding room is a clog room, much like North American mud rooms.

First, I visited a clog factory that also had a museum displaying many varieties of traditional wooden shoes.

Chip-carved clogs. Many cultures share this traditional woodworking technique.

I watched a wooden clog being made in about five minutes, thanks to modern machinery.

A chunk of wood is placed in the lathe (left) with a test-guide clog (right) serving as a reference.

Now the inside is carved out (right) with the test-guide clog (left) serving as a reference.

The clog-maker trims and smooths the exterior by hand before the clog dries for 4 weeks, out of sunlight (or it can crack).

There were many styles and colours of clogs for sale in a wide variety of sizes. The Dutch swear by their clogs, but the thought of wearing them takes me back to the days of painful Dr. Scholl’s sandals, so no thanks.

Next, I visited a cheese maker and learned how Gouda and Edam are made. There was a tasting room where I sampled several varieties, the most memorable being a lavender cheese with a striking violet color.

Finally, I toured a functioning windmill. I don’t know who first designed windmills and their series of enormous internal wooden cogs, but they are a brilliant piece of engineering.

I had to climb a couple flights of steep ladders with tiny steps to reach the top of the windmill; the view made it completely worth it. Then I had to descend the same way, facing the steps for safety.