On Saturday, September 12, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., two centuries-old windmills in Gouda will open their doors wide to the public: 't Slot aan de Punt and De Roode Leeuw aan de Vest. The Haastrechtse Molen, a polder mill, will also be open. Admission is free. Mill enthusiasts, families, Gouda residents, and tourists are all welcome to take a look behind the scenes at this centuries-old craft, including live grinding demonstrations at 't Slot and a mini-mill where children can grind their own bag of flour.
Grinding Just Like Hundreds of Years Ago
Anyone who visits 't Slot on September 12 will not only see the mill turning, but also actually grinding. This is something special: the craft of wind-powered milling has become rare over the years, and during Open Monument Day, you can see exactly how grain is transformed into flour by the sails and millstones.
For children, there’s a mini-mill—also known as a “kweern”—ready and waiting. With this small, hand-operated grinding device, they can get to work themselves and grind their own little bag of flour: enough for a pancake at home! It’s a fun, accessible way to discover firsthand how grain was once processed into flour.
Two windmills, two stories
Gouda once had more than twenty windmills, but only a handful remain. ‘t Slot and De Roode Leeuw are both prime examples of this, each with its own history.
't Slot stands on the Hollandse IJssel, on the site where the castle of the Lords of Ter Gouw once stood. Shortly after that castle was demolished in the late sixteenth century, Gouda received permission to build a windmill here. The mill that stands there today dates from 1832 and was built after a devastating fire. Since 2019, 't Slot has been managed by the Association of Gouda Millers, and in 2025, the mill was fitted with new sails.
De Roode Leeuw, located on the Vest in the city center, is one of the oldest surviving grain mills in the Netherlands. The mill at this site dates back to 1727 and for many years ground grain commercially and sold flour to the residents of Gouda.
The Haastrechtse Molen polder mill is also open to visitors; it still operates regularly to maintain the water level.
The Mallemolen polder mill is closed this year due to construction work, but you can still admire it from the terrace while enjoying a cup of coffee at GouweStek, next to the suction-type pumping station.
For anyone who loves heritage, stories, or a fun day out, visit
. Open Monument Day is the perfect opportunity to discover places that aren’t always accessible. For windmill enthusiasts, this is a unique opportunity to see the inner workings and the milling process up close; for families, it’s an educational and active outing; and for residents of Gouda and tourists alike, it’s a wonderful chance to (re)discover a piece of Gouda’s heritage that’s still very much alive. Everyone is welcome.
PracticalInformation
● What: Open House at the Gouda windmills during Open MonumentDay
● When: Saturday, September 12, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
● Location:
- 't Slot, Punt 17
- De Roode Leeuw, Vest 65
- Haastrechtse Molen, Provincialeweg West 64, Gouda
● Admission: Free
● Extra: 't Slot is operational and grinding during opening hours; a mini mill (kweern) for children is available
● Please note: Due to the historic, narrow staircases, the mills are unfortunately not accessible to wheelchair users or those using walkers
