Roosdonck Windmill, Eindhoven
De Roosdonck (The Roosdonck) is one of Nuenen's most important symbols. It is also a working, round-stone, Bovenkruier-type windmill that is still in use as a corn mill.
From a landscape standpoint, the mill is very beautifully located, reaching a height of 26 meters, north of the built-up area. Vincent van Gogh, who lived in the town from 1883 to 1885, had featured De Roosdonck a total of seven times in his works. Also, perhaps the most famous painting of his Nuenen period, The Potato Eaters, was created in the neighboring cottage.
The mill was built in 1884 by Antonius van Himbergen from the nearby town of Bladel and was initially planned to be a smock (or tower) mill. However, following a tragic accident, during which part of the hull had collapsed, killing one person, it was then remodeled as the current "beltmolen" [belt mill] type. A pile of sand was put around the structure to make it higher. It was also made somewhat narrower than usual, using fewer stones, because of the lack of funds prompted by the accident. The last remaining trace of its first design is the two bricked-up windows in the walls of the drive-in area.
From 1887 to 1930, the mill was used to press oil (using the machinery fitted from the mill of Sint Victor in Heeze). After the Second World War, its wheelwork was replaced with the mechanism removed from the Hoogeind mill in Sint-Oedenrode, which was heavily damaged by the war.
In 1959, due to industrialization and the introduction of other sources of energy, the mill stopped professional production of flour and fell into disrepair. However, after the municipal government bought it in 1970, the subsequent restoration works in 1972, 1984, and 1996 brought the mill back to life.
Since 1995, it has been in private hands once again, simultaneously overseen by the Friends of the Roosdonck who pay for its maintenance. The mill is now open to the public and has on the site a shop that sells a wide range of organic flour products.
Curious fact: a life-size replica of the Roosdonck was built in 2011 for the 'Van Gogh Friendship Park' in Nanjing, China.
From a landscape standpoint, the mill is very beautifully located, reaching a height of 26 meters, north of the built-up area. Vincent van Gogh, who lived in the town from 1883 to 1885, had featured De Roosdonck a total of seven times in his works. Also, perhaps the most famous painting of his Nuenen period, The Potato Eaters, was created in the neighboring cottage.
The mill was built in 1884 by Antonius van Himbergen from the nearby town of Bladel and was initially planned to be a smock (or tower) mill. However, following a tragic accident, during which part of the hull had collapsed, killing one person, it was then remodeled as the current "beltmolen" [belt mill] type. A pile of sand was put around the structure to make it higher. It was also made somewhat narrower than usual, using fewer stones, because of the lack of funds prompted by the accident. The last remaining trace of its first design is the two bricked-up windows in the walls of the drive-in area.
From 1887 to 1930, the mill was used to press oil (using the machinery fitted from the mill of Sint Victor in Heeze). After the Second World War, its wheelwork was replaced with the mechanism removed from the Hoogeind mill in Sint-Oedenrode, which was heavily damaged by the war.
In 1959, due to industrialization and the introduction of other sources of energy, the mill stopped professional production of flour and fell into disrepair. However, after the municipal government bought it in 1970, the subsequent restoration works in 1972, 1984, and 1996 brought the mill back to life.
Since 1995, it has been in private hands once again, simultaneously overseen by the Friends of the Roosdonck who pay for its maintenance. The mill is now open to the public and has on the site a shop that sells a wide range of organic flour products.
Curious fact: a life-size replica of the Roosdonck was built in 2011 for the 'Van Gogh Friendship Park' in Nanjing, China.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Eindhoven. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Roosdonck Windmill on Map
Sight Name: Roosdonck Windmill
Sight Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands (See walking tours in Eindhoven)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands (See walking tours in Eindhoven)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Eindhoven, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Eindhoven
Creating your own self-guided walk in Eindhoven is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Eindhoven Introduction Walking Tour
Eindhoven is the largest city in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands. It was founded in the 13th century but didn't see large growth until DAF Trucks and Philips Electronics were established in the city during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Eindhoven was officially given status as a municipality in 1232. It was already a small town with less than 200 houses inside the city... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Eindhoven was officially given status as a municipality in 1232. It was already a small town with less than 200 houses inside the city... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Van Gogh's Nuenen Walking Tour
The small town of Nuenen, located practically a stone's throw from Eindhoven, is a very old Dutch locality that shot into significance as the inspiration behind many of the works by Vincent van Gogh. The painter lived and worked here for 18 months, from December 1883 to May 1885. During this period he created many paintings capturing the images of local people (peasants, weavers, etc.) such... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles