“Do not ruin today with mourning tomorrow.” ― Catherynne M. Valente
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| (The windmills of Holland) |
The Netherlands or Holland may be a small country, but it's packed with world famous icons. Attractions in the Netherlands include Tulip fields, windmills, cheese markets, wooden shoes, canals of Amsterdam, masterpieces of Old Masters, Delft Blue earthenware, innovative water-management and millions of bicycles.
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| (Beautiful decoration of Delftware) |
Dutch Blue Delftware
The main difference between China porcelain and Holland Porcelain is in fact there is no porcelain at all. That is because porcelain requires china clay, also called kaolin, which is not found in the Netherlands. That is the reason why Delftware factories introduced imitation porcelain products made of Dutch clay. They aimed to copy the Chinese product as close as they could. And not without success, because their sophisticated, luxurious earthenware products were widely considered the best alternative to genuine exported porcelain.
The main difference between China porcelain and Holland Porcelain is in fact there is no porcelain at all. That is because porcelain requires china clay, also called kaolin, which is not found in the Netherlands. That is the reason why Delftware factories introduced imitation porcelain products made of Dutch clay. They aimed to copy the Chinese product as close as they could. And not without success, because their sophisticated, luxurious earthenware products were widely considered the best alternative to genuine exported porcelain.
That is how Delftware factories became the low-cost warehouses of the Golden Age with an enormous impact on the Dutch way of life.
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| (Kitchen cloth from Amsterdam) |
The Iconic Windmills of Holland
Historically, windmills in Holland served many purposes. The most important probably was pumping water out of the lowlands and back into the rivers beyond the dikes so that the land could be farmed. In the fourteenth century, hollow-post mills were used to drive scoop wheels to drain the wetlands. The Molen de Roos in Delft began its life as a hollow-post type and was later rebuilt with a higher stone construction in the eighteenth century. Today it has been restored and is open for viewing.
In Amsterdam, you can see the Molen de Otter, the only wind-powered sawmill left in operation.
The Dutch Wooden Clogs
These high quality wooden shoes are made in the Netherlands from white poplar wood. Worn by the Dutch Village farmers, these shoes are long lasting and comfortable.
Traditional clogs remain in use as protective footwear in agriculture and in some factories and mines. Although clogs are sometimes negatively associated with cheap and folkloric footwear of farmers and the working class, some types of clogs are considered as fashion wear today.
Historically, windmills in Holland served many purposes. The most important probably was pumping water out of the lowlands and back into the rivers beyond the dikes so that the land could be farmed. In the fourteenth century, hollow-post mills were used to drive scoop wheels to drain the wetlands. The Molen de Roos in Delft began its life as a hollow-post type and was later rebuilt with a higher stone construction in the eighteenth century. Today it has been restored and is open for viewing.
In Amsterdam, you can see the Molen de Otter, the only wind-powered sawmill left in operation.
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| (Decorative wooden clogs) |
The Dutch Wooden Clogs
These high quality wooden shoes are made in the Netherlands from white poplar wood. Worn by the Dutch Village farmers, these shoes are long lasting and comfortable.
Traditional clogs remain in use as protective footwear in agriculture and in some factories and mines. Although clogs are sometimes negatively associated with cheap and folkloric footwear of farmers and the working class, some types of clogs are considered as fashion wear today.
We were in the Netherlands in February 2002 visiting the cities of Amsterdam, the Hague and Rotterdam and their many attractions.
2002 Netherlands itinerary:
Amsterdam - Capital city of inspiration…
Madurodam - A miniature Deutch City…
The Hague - Diplomats and Expatriates…
Rotterdam - The World's 2nd Largest Harbour…
Amsterdam - Capital city of inspiration…
Madurodam - A miniature Deutch City…
The Hague - Diplomats and Expatriates…
Rotterdam - The World's 2nd Largest Harbour…
My Overseas Travel Blog: munmus.blogspot.com
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