Poldersche Molen (polder mill) - Maasdam

West of Maasdam on the Polderdijk stands the iconic polder mill, named after the centuries-old Sint Anthonypolder - the oldest polder in the Hoeksche Waard. A mill stood here as early as 1514, in an area that had been diked even before the devastating Sint-Elisabeth flood of 1421. The flood spared only this polder. The dyke, which later became known as the Keizersdijk, can even be traced back to the time of Charlemagne and formed a historical connection towards West Brabant. Over the centuries, the landscape grew back together through various re-embankments.

In the 17th century, there was a mill in the Sint-Anthonypolder, which was replaced by the current round stone mill in 1749: the Sint Anthonymolen. It was built by carpenter Pieter Smit and bricklayer Leendert van Besey at a cost of 10,155 guilders. In 1842, the mill was thoroughly repaired and received a thatched roof and a cast-iron upper axle. An imposing scoop wheel drained excess water to the Binnenbedijkte Maas.

Until 1956, the 370-hectare polder was drained by generations of millers, including the Weeda, Tol, Ottevanger and Verrijp families. In 1972, the Maasdam municipality saved the mill from decay and later transferred it to the Stichting Molens Hoeksche Waard Foundation.

The Sint Anthonymolen now bore the name ‘Poldersche Molen’ and underwent several restorations, including a major one in 2007/2008 and again in 2019/2020. This involved restoring the scoop wheel and repairing the watercourse. The mill is now a beautifully restored piece of heritage with an authentic miller's house, including bed box and pot-bellied stove.

Want to take a step back in time? The mill is open to visitors almost every Saturday from 10.30am to 5.30pm.