Kinderdijk



Kinderdijk is a village in the Alblasserwaard polder of the Netherlands. It's a popular, yet authentic, tourist destination for its large network of windmills. These received recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

History
Kinderdijk lies in the Alblasserwaard, at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. In Alblasserwaard, problems with water became more and more apparent in the 13th century. Large canals, called "weteringen", were dug to get rid of the excess water in the polders. However, the drained soil started setting, while the level of the river rose due to the river's sand deposits.

After a few centuries, an additional way to keep the polders dry was required. It was decided to build a series of windmills, with a limited capacity to bridge water level differences, but just able to pump water into a reservoir at an intermediate level between the soil in the polder and the river; the reservoir could be pumped out into the river by other windmills whenever the river level was low enough; the river level has both seasonal and tidal variations. Although some of the windmills are still used, the main water works are provided by two diesel pumping stations near one of the entrances of the windmills site.

The name
"When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank."

- Exodus 2:3, World English Bible (WEB)

Kinderdijk means "Child's Dyke". The educational film covers the topic of Kinderdijk's name with several theories:


 * The low height of the dyke itself
 * The mills were built by child labour

The name is reportedly from the The Cat and the Cradle story. The St. Elizabeth's Day flood in November 1421 severely flooded the area, though the survivor Beatrix de Rijke's cradle floated with her inside while a cat balanced it leaving her unharmed.

Regardless of the story's authenticity (the story heavily resembles baby Moses floating down the River Nile in Exodus 2:3), Kinderdijk has a floating sculpture called Beautrice's Cradle commemorating this folklore beside the pumping station.

By bus
Although Kinderdijk is in a rural area, getting there with public transport is possible on several ways. Buses are operated by Qbuzz. Regular OV-chipkaart is valid, also the Holland Travel Ticket. Alternatively tickets can be bought when entering the bus for around .- one way (debit/credit card only). Local RET daytickets are not valid on Qbuzz buses.


 * Bus 489 operates 2 times per hour between Rotterdam Metro Station Kralingse Zoom, Rotterdam Park & Ride Beverwaard, Oostendam, Alblasserdam, Kinderdijk and Nieuw-Lekkerland
 * Bus 316 operates 2 times per hour between Dordrecht Railway Station, Alblasserdam and Kinderdijk. In the early morning and late evening you can take the limited 316 service to Alblasserdam and change there to 489 to Kinderdijk

The bus stop is Kinderdijk, Molenkade for both routes. That is the third stop in the village Kinderdijk after IHC Smit and Kloos.


 * Amsterdam & The Hague: Take the train to Dordrecht. Take the 316 bus from there.
 * Rotterdam (option 1): take a tram to P+R Beverwaard. Change there to bus 489 to Kinderdijk.
 * Rotterdam (option 2): from Zuidplein metro station, take bus 392 and 491 to Oostendam (up to 8 times per hour). At Oostendam, change to 489 to Kinderdijk.
 * Rotterdam (option 3): from Kralingse Zoom metro station, take bus 489 to Kinderdijk.
 * Utrecht: take Intercity train to Rotterdam Alexander. Change there to a metro to Kralingse Zoom. From there, take bus 489 to Kinderdijk.

By boat
Take a waterbus from Rotterdam (Erasmusbrug) or Dordrecht (Merwekade).

A day pass is available which includes coupons for a return ride on the Driehoeksveer ferry and entrances to the Museummolen and Wisboomgemaal.



Alternatively:

By car
There are many ways to get to Kinderdijk by motorway. If you're coming from Rotterdam, drive south along motorway A16 in the direction to Dordrecht. At the junction, get onto the A15 that goes in eastward direction to Gorinchem. Get off at exit 22 and follow the signs to Kinderdijk.

If you're coming from Amsterdam or Utrecht, drive south along motorway A2. At the junction Everdingen, get onto motorway A27 that goes to Gorinchem in southwestern direction. At the junction Gorinchem, get onto motorway A15 that goes to Rotterdam in westwards direction. Get off at exit 22 and follow the signs to Kinderdijk. The ride is about 100 km from Amsterdam.

By bike
Kinderdijk is also within a cycling distance of the Dordrecht. Route maps are available at the VVV visitor information bureau. Just cross a river via a bridge or by a ferry (take off at Papendrecht), then take a ride for about 15km.

Get around
The best way to see the windmills is on foot or by bicycle.

Buy
Kinderdijk is not really a place to go shopping, but you can buy souvenirs from the usual gift shops.

Eat
There are a few restaurants at the entrance of the park.

Drink
Coffee for an affordable price right at the entrance of the park. You can also buy ice-cream or a small apple pie.

Go next
You can take the Waterbus to Dordrecht, a historic town with some interesting museums.