Delta Works & Windmills
Delta Works
Visit the Delta Works in The Netherlands. You’ll learn and experience the struggle against flooding from the sea. Who does not know the Dutch Delta Works: Dutchies are busy for already 50 years to strengthen the country and to protect it from water.
As an old proverb says: God created the world but the Dutch created The Netherlands. Almost 40% of the Netherlands lies below sea level. Floodings of sea and river water caused many victims as for example the 1953 flood disaster during which 1850 people were drowned. The struggle against the water was both defensive, manifest by many dikes and dams, and offensive, as is shown by the many land reclamation works from as early as the 14th century.
What is the Delta Works?
The Delta Works is a defense system in the Netherlands to protect against flooding from the sea, in particular the provinces of Zeeland, southern South Holland and North Brabant. The Dutch built decades to finish The Delta Works. The project was declared complete after the completion of the Oosterscheldekering (1986), The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier (in 1997) and following the completion of the raising of the dikes to delta height (the Harlingen weir, in August 2010).
Big parts of the Delta works, particularly the Oosterschelde and The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier, attract international attention. The American Society of Civil Engineers has declared The Delta Works as one of the seven modern wonders of the world.
The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier is the last part of the Dutch Delta Works and is the world’s largest moveable barrier. This impressive construction cannot be described in words, only experienced. Near the Maeslantkering is The Keringhuis, Public Water Management Information Centre about flood risk management in the Province of Zuid-Holland and the impressive Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier. Here you can visit the exposition or go outside and get a hands-on-experience with pumps and sandbags in the water playground.
Famous Dutch Wind Mills
The Netherlands are famous not only for tulips and cheese, but also for the many wind mills. They were and still are an important part of the water management to keep the land dry and provide energy. All through The Netherlands, but especially in the Holland region, you can still find the old wind mills in the polder landscape. Some still working and others to preserve Dutch history. The windmills and waterways tell the tale of the Low Countries. Travel back in time and experience the story of windmills, water, and willpower!
Unesco World Heritage Kinderijk is a site with about 19 authentic windmills. 742 Years of Dutch watermanagement history and 15 out of the 19 windmills are still inhabited. When you visit Kinderdijk, you step right into the middle of Dutch history. Everything here lies below sea level, so to keep our feet dry, we have been cooperating with the wind and water for centuries.
Delta Works & Wind Mill Tours
Rotterdam Experience organises private (no regular) excursions to different parts of the Delta Works or windmills or a combination of both. These tours can include transportation (touring car, bike, boat), lunch, a guide, visit of the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier and the Oosterschelde Storm Surge Barrier and much more.
These tours are a special experience you will never forget.
Interesting?
For more information send us an mail info@rotterdamexperience.com, call us at +31(0)6 498 69 004or fill in our contact form below.