The village of Kinderdijk is located in the Netherlands, about 15 km east of Rotterdam.
Kinderdijk is situated in a region called the Alblasserwaard that lies below sea-level.
To drain the polder, a system of 19 windmills was built between 1738 and 1740.
They have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
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In Alblasserwaard, problems with water became more and more apparent in the 13th century.
After a few centuries, an additional way to keep the polders dry was required.
It was then the decision to build a series of windmills was taken.
At one time there were more than 150 windmills in the Alblasserwaard and Vijfheerenlanden area.
During the summer months, the mills are put back in operation again for the sake of the tourists.
In one of the windmills a small museum is established with an exhibition about how miller-families lived.
Sources:Wikipedia/UNESCO/World Heritage Site
