History and heritage
The motto on Aalsmeer’s municipal coat of arms reads Retine quod habes, meaning ‘keep what you have’. It’s a phrase that could easily apply to the windmills and historic buildings that can still be seen in the town today – they are buildings worth keeping forever.
Korenmolen De Leeuw
Aalsmeer is home to no fewer than three beautifully restored windmills. Cyclists and walkers can enjoy the picturesque mills ‘Stommeermolen’ and ‘De Zwarte Ruiter’. But the most easily accessible is the flourmill ‘Korenmolen De Leeuw’, a 150-year-old giant right in the centre of Aalsmeer. The mill’s shop sells its own stone-ground flour.
Defence Line of Amsterdam
In the area there are two forts belonging to the famous Defence Line of Amsterdam (Stelling van Amsterdam), a UNESCO world heritage site. The ‘Fort bij Aalsmeer’ in Rijsenhout houses the CRASH Air War and Resistance Museum. And ‘Fort Kudelstaart’, surrounded by a moat that is now a marina, is open to the public on certain days.
Walking tour
A good way to learn more about the history of Aalsmeer is to take a walking tour of the town. Your guide will lead you on a tour lasting around 90 minutes, taking in Aalsmeer’s historic buildings and places of interest.