Riekermolen

Riekermolen is a windmill in Amsterdam. A scenic windmill on the Amstel where Rembrandt is said to have sketched.

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The Riekermolen began its working life near Sloten, where it helped drain the surrounding polder. It was later moved to its present position beside the Amstel. Unlike a mill built to grind grain, a polder mill uses wind power to move water: a useful distinction when looking at this familiar Dutch silhouette. Its story connects the riverside landscape with the less visible work of keeping low-lying land dry and suitable for farming and settlement.

Make the mill part of a longer outing along the Amstel rather than treating it as a standalone indoor attraction. The riverside route gives you changing views across the water, with cyclists, walkers and passing boats adding movement to the landscape. A nearby statue of Rembrandt offers another point of interest without implying that the artist saw this particular mill here. For a change of scenery, combine the riverbank with the paths and gardens of Amstelpark.