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‘De Otter’ retains its original location

The cultural and heritage monument of nations industrial history windmill ‘De Otter’ can now be seen at its original location. The 17th Century was Holland’s golden period as hundreds of wood sawing windmills were constructed in and around the city Amsterdam that accelerated the ship producing ability and developing the nation as seafaring and powerful merchant nation. The windmill ‘De Otter’ is the only 17th century wood sawing mill that is located on its original location where it was constructed. Since 1638 this windmill is located just West of the Jordaan area in Amsterdam.

But as the real estate development took place the tall and high apartments around ‘De Otter’ seized the wind. According to windmill experts and foundation, windmill has to work for its maintenance and for that wind is an essential factor. But at this location the windmill is getting deteriorate as it is no longer getting enough wind to work. So the foundation decided to quit and swing the windmill to a Heritage park in Uitgeest so as to provide it as much wind needed (about 15 miles North of Amsterdam).

The decision of Foundation was opposed by many of the heritage organizations and the city authorities are also not in the favor to give the monumental permission to the owner but is willing to maintain and conserve the windmill at its original location. Recently after carrying out a wind test the Raad Van State, the highest court of Netherlands, has decided that city authorities need not to grant any moving permit to the owner of windmill ‘De Otter’ as the windmill can catch enough wind on the present location so as to work and continue to exist. Now this important cultural property will persist to survive at its original location.