Windmill De Noord, with its height of 33.3 metres (including the height of the cap) the highest windmill in the world, houses Restaurant De Noordmolen. In this pleasantly furnished restaurant delicious lunches and dinners are served. In summer there is a terrace. There is also accommodation for receptions and official dinners. The restaurant is open from Monday till Friday from 12.00 till 22.00 hrs., on Saturday from 17.00 till 23.00 h. The restaurant is closed on Sundays. Reservations requested.

Address:
Noordvest 38
3111 PH Schiedam
Tel. 010 426 31 04

The present windmill was built in 1803. As early as the beginning of the 15th century mention was made of a windmill on this spot. It is presumed that this windmill, a wooden post mill, was built around 1400. In 1707 the wooden post mill was replaced by a stone windmill. One century later the windmill appeared to be too small. It did not catch enough wind in the ever growing city. De Noord was broken down and was subsequently rebuilt nearer to the water. De Noord started to grind grain for the distilleries. At the beginning of the 20th century cattle fodder was ground in addition to wheatmeal for the bakers. Around 1930 a diesel engine was placed inside the windmill (which was used to keep the grinding going in times when there was hardly any wind). The engine is presently standing along the ‘s Gravelandseweg in Schiedam.

From the 1930’s onwards generating energy by wind was less and less common. This resulted in the dismantling of De Noord in 1937. The cap, the sail-cross, the front and rear tie beams, the capstan wheel and the railing were removed and only a stump remained. During the war years the Germans used the stump as an observation-post. At the same time it played a vital role in the activities of the Dutch resistance.

After the war the Schiedam municipality bought what was left of De Noord. The intention was to restore the windmill, so that it could grind again. The first restoration phase in 1962 dealt with the cap, the sail-cross, the front and the rear tie beams, the capstan wheel and the railing. De Noord was now beginning to look like a real windmill again. The second phase started 10 years later. This time a large group of volunteers helped with the restoration work. Around 1970 grain could be ground again. Soon after the restoration a bar was opened in De Noord which became a restaurant in later years.