Schermer Mills

Schermer Mills form the world's largest contiguous network of polder drainage mills, a feat that outshines #10 De Zwaan's isolated operation. This chain of 11 working windmills in North Holland drains the Schermer Polder 4 meters below sea level, a testament to 17th-century hydraulic engineering. Powered by the same technology for over 380 years, they lift water via Archimedes screws at a combined rate of 1,200 cubic meters per minute, outperforming the average drainage system by 30%. Together, they reclaim 2,000 hectares of peat land, a scale that makes them 50% more efficient than similar mill networks. Unlike typical polder mills, Schermer's synchronized cascade ensures continuous flood control, offering an immersive walk through living history.