De Kat

Paint mill De Kat is the only working wind paint mill in the world. A paint mill was built on this site around 1646, which was later converted into an oil mill. In 1782 the mill went up in flames and after that the mill was rebuilt again. This mill was in use until 1904, after which the mill was partially demolished. In 1960 the mill was partially rebuilt and then De Kat was refitted as a paint mill again. The mill is located between the various mills of the Zaanse Schans, on the water of the Zaan. The first paint mill in this area was built around 1646. More than fifty paint mills used to adorn the Zaanse land. The mill is in operation every day in the summer. Professional millers still make pigments for paint and chalk in this mill using traditional methods.