Zaanse Schans: Take a Trip Back in Time By Visiting This Historic Village in The Netherlands by Fiona Whiley

Have you have ever wondered what it would have been like to live in the Netherlands in the 18th and 19th centuries? Zaanse Schans is a historic village located on the river Zann. Inside the village you will find traditional windmills and Dutch crafts brought to life for your education and enjoyment.

Wooden windmills on the banks of the river let out the occasional creak as their sails turn slowly. You can climb up to the viewing deck of a windmill and look out over the farmland and canals in the distance. Of course, you will have to use those incredibly steep Dutch stairs (think “ladder”) to get up there!

Walk around the village past old wooden houses and across hand-operated opening wooden bridges spanning canals. Breathe in the delicious aromas that waft on the air as you pass by the bakery. Visit the Dutch handcraft shops where products are still made using traditional methods. Handcrafts to see include:

• The clog-making workshop. (Buy a pair if you have room in your luggage – they are actually very comfortable!)
  

• The weaver's shop.

• The pewter foundry.

• The liqueur distillery.

• The cheese shop.
  

• The chocolate shop.

• The coopery.

There are also restaurants and cafes in the village, so it is an easy way to spend a day getting to know more about Dutch culture.

How Do You Get There?

Getting there is easy! Just catch the train from Amsterdam Centraal. You take the train to station Zaandijk, a town in the Netherlands. From there it is a 15-minute walk to the village.

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