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De Kat, Zaandam

Coordinates: 52°28′30″N 4°49′04″E / 52.4750°N 4.8178°E / 52.4750; 4.8178
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De Kat in 2007
Dyes made at De Kat

De Kat is the only remaining working windmill in the world which produces paint.[1][2] The mill is in the Zaanse Schans, Zaanstad.[3][4] De Kat is an octagonal smock mill.[5] Robbert Kempenaar has been the head miller of De Kat since 2007.[6]

The original mill 'De Kat' was built in 1646 as an oil mill. In 1781 it was destroyed by fire but was rebuilt again by 1782. The mill was in use until 1904 and then was partially demolished.[5][7]

In 1960 the eight-sided paint mill 'De Duinjager' was removed from its former position owing to urban development and placed on top of the old storehouse of 'De Kat'.[7] The mill is again grinding raw materials including minerals and chalk to make pigments for paints in the traditional way.[4] The mill is owned by the Vereniging De Zaansche Molen [nl].[8]

The mill, which is open to the public, receives 130,000 visitors annually, making it the most visited windmill in the Netherlands.[7][9]

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  • View of the mill
    View of the mill
  • Drying shed for chalk[7]
    Drying shed for chalk[7]
  • Clogs at the door
    Clogs at the door
  • Side stones
    Side stones
  • Pigment containers
    Pigment containers
  • Side stone with red pigment
    Side stone with red pigment

See also

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References

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  1. ^ de Rooi, Martijn (2014). The Dutch, I presume?: Icons of the Netherlands. Alphen aan den Rijn: Dutch Publishers. p. 49. ISBN 9789076214177.
  2. ^ Harris, Joanne (1999). "Having an Amsterdam Good Time". American Visions. Retrieved 6 April 2025 – via EBSCOhost.
  3. ^ "Map". Zaanse Schans. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Verfmolen De Kat". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Verfmolen de Kat". Verfmolen de Kat. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Robbert Kempenaar". De Zaansche molen (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d "Paint Mill The Cat". Zaanse Schans. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  8. ^ Veenman, Resi (17 August 2018). "De Kat". De Zaansche molen. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  9. ^ "Practical information". Verfmolen de Kat. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
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52°28′30″N 4°49′04″E / 52.4750°N 4.8178°E / 52.4750; 4.8178

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