Yet another old watermill in The Netherlands (starting to feel like the tourist board)

This is the watermill at Singraven, near Denekamp, The Netherlands. It was the largest watermill of the region, containing an oil mil, a grain mill and a sawmill, each driven by its own water wheel. It is powered by the river Dinkel.

Olympus XZ-1, 80mm, ISO100, f5.6, 1/80

This watermill was first mentioned in 1448. The stone tablets near the door tell us it was restaured in 1544, 1610, 1617 en 1646, having been destroyed in several local wars and, in 1597, in the war for independence against the Spanish. It found its current shape and form in 1880.

The windmill was considered picturesque even 350 years ago, when Jacob van Ruisdael painted it in its 17th-century form:

The water wheels make a mighty sound when they are turning, and you shouldn't get too close, they are easily powerful enough to crush you when your clothes get caught in them. Here's a look through these water wheels on the river Dinkel:

Olympus XZ-1, 28mm, ISO100, f8, 1/5

Yes, I did get close, well spotted, but I am an idiot photographer.

Most water mills have a weir right next to the water wheels, that can be opened to keep the water flowing when the mill isn't operating. Not doing this would block the river, flooding a large area and depriving the farmers downstream of water. This particular watermill, being very large, has a canal as a bypass, with a separate weir, seen here open:

Olympus XZ-1, 28mm, ISO100, f5.6, 1/320

I love the sound the water makes here. It can be heard from a terrace, which also has a view of the mill itself, making it one of my favourite spots. Well worth a visit.

Previous watermill post here.