Along the water, enjoy nature!

The island of Goeree-Overflakkee is located in the southwest of South Holland. Goeree used to consist of several small islands, but people gradually conquered more land. Nevertheless, the conquest of the territory did not go without a hitch and the island was regularly hit by floods before the construction of the Delta Works. For example, 22 people drowned during the storm surge of 1682 and in 1953 the flood disaster claimed 481 lives. The first reclamation already took place in the 12th century, when the Oudeland polder of Diependorst was reclaimed.

Picturesque villages have emerged in the landscaped polders. Enjoy the space and go see some beautiful windmills. The Dankbaarheid is located in Herkingen and is painted white according to Zeeland tradition. The brick ground sailer was built in 1841. Until 1960 it was used to grind grain on a professional basis, but after that the mill, which had fallen into disrepair, was used as a weekend house. Part of the interior was removed for this purpose. In 2000, the mill was made ready to grind again and it is used to grind grain on a voluntary basis. If you want to see the inside of the mill, you can visit it on Saturday afternoon and by appointment.

In Dirksland you will find windmill De Eendracht. The tower mill from 1846 ground grain on a professional basis until 1966. After that, the mill fell into disrepair and the interior was removed, but the municipality of Dirksland, who bought the mill in 1975, made the mill ready to grind again. The Molenstichting Goeree-Overflakkee has been the owner of the mill since 1988 and this organization also had De Eendracht restored. A roadside sign indicates whether the mill, which grinds grain on a voluntary basis, is open.

Of the next mill you see on your journey, the connoisseurs will see by the blades that almost touch the ground that this is a ground sailer. D\\\'Oranjeboom was built in 1768 as a replacement for a standard mill that stood on the same spot. Since 1988, the mill has belonged to the Molenstichting Goeree-Overflakkee, which has restored the mill. The mill can be visited every week on Saturday between 10:00 and 16:00.