In Rijpwetering, the history of mills, church architecture and paths through the polders meet waterscapes. Local sights tell of different relationships with water: mills drained polders, an overhaal moved boats between different water levels, and walking trails run along lakes and through the polders. You can explore these themes individually on your trip or consider them together when choosing your activities.

Mills between history and water management

The Moppemolen was built in 1752 after its predecessor, a wipmolen, burned down. The Buurtermolen, by contrast, is notable above all for its long role in drainage: built probably in the 18th century, the mill drained the Buurterpolder until 1968. The Lijkermolen No. 1 also used wind power to drain the polders, up until the 1980s. The three stories offer different points of reference in time: the Moppemolen's reconstruction, the Buurtermolen's documented work until 1968, and the longer operation of the Lijkermolen No. 1.

An overhaal is located next to the Blauwe Molen and is also a Rijksmonument. The mill has the same listed status. Historically, the overhaal pulled boats across the kade between boezem and polder water levels. This means the structure can be viewed not only as a building in its own right: its stated function makes the transition between the two water levels a central theme. The overhaal and the Blauwe Molen are thus linked as named monuments; the overhaal had the special task of pulling boats across the kade.

The pair of Lijkermolen No. 1 and No. 2 is distinctive in another way: it is the only pair of twelve-sided stone mills in the Netherlands. Lijkermolen No. 1 is located on the Kleipoel. Open expanses of water and deep polders stretch out in front of it. Its location and landscape offer a different perspective on the mill from its former drainage role: here, the distinctive pair of mills and the open surroundings take centre stage.

Visits and special conditions

Visiting conditions vary between the mills. The Buurtermolen stands on an island in the Kagerplassen and has considerable landscape value. It can only be reached from the Poeldijk in Rijpwetering by an unmanned private ferry. Check the access arrangements before your trip. The Adermolen also stands on an island; it can only be visited by boat. Confirm the visiting arrangements in advance.

To visit Lijkermolen No. 1, it must either be turning or a visit must be arranged. Agree on a time before your trip. This keeps the different conditions clear: a boat is required to visit the Adermolen; access to the Buurtermolen is tied to the private, unmanned ferry described above; and for the Lijkermolen No. 1, it must be turning or a visit must be arranged.

Church architecture and paths through the landscape

The Onze Lieve Vrouw Geboortekerk adds a clearly dated building to the history of the mills: the Haarlem bishop F. J. van Vree consecrated the church on 20 September 1860. Theo Molkenboer designed it as a three-aisled pseudo-basilica in the Neo-Gothic style. Those interested in architectural history will find a different focus here than at the mills: rather than drainage and water transport, the emphasis is on design, architectural form and its 19th-century consecration.

You can explore Rijpwetering on foot along the “Green Loops: Rijpwetering” route. It runs along the Koppoel and Kleipoel and through the polders of Rijpwetering. “Molens, Water en Meer” takes a different geographical approach: this walking route passes through Roelofarendsveen, Oude Wetering, Nieuwe Wetering and Rijpwetering in the municipality of Kaag en Braassem. The first route focuses on the lakes and polders in Rijpwetering; the second includes four named places. This lets you choose between a route focused on the local landscape and one that passes through several places, without assuming a particular walking time or distance.

The waterways also offer a useful planning point: from Rijpwetering, the Kagerplassen can be reached via Lake Koppoel, and the village has several marinas. This adds another perspective on the lakes to the walking trails. The routes and mills mentioned here have different areas of focus; check the relevant visiting conditions before arranging a specific visit.

Discover more destinations: Roelofarendsveen, Woubrugge, Kaag, Hoogmade.

Return to the main travel overview: Kaag En Braassem.