Woudagemaal Lemmer - Special buildings

The Woudagemaal is an imposing steam pumping station located in Lemmer. It is the largest working steam pumping station in the world and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998. The pumping station was built in 1920 to pump away excess water from Friesland and prevent the land from being flooded.

History

The Woudagemaal also has an important cultural and historical significance for Friesland and the Netherlands as a whole. The pumping station played an important role in draining the polders and preventing flooding in Friesland, thereby contributing to the economic development of the region. Moreover, the Woudagemaal is a symbol of the Dutch struggle against the water and the constant challenge to protect the land against the forces of nature.

The Woudagemaal was designed by the Dutch engineer Wouda and is built in the typical Amsterdam School style. The pumping station consists of two large steam engines, each with a capacity of 4,000 m3 of water per minute. The pumping station can therefore move a total of 8,000 m3 of water per minute, which is equivalent to the volume of 3 Olympic swimming pools.

Unique insight

The Woudagemaal is a special technical tour de force and it is therefore not surprising that it is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can view the pumping station up close and gain a unique insight into how the pumping station works and how it was used to prevent flooding. Guided tours are also available giving visitors the chance to see the steam engines in action and learn about the history of the pumping station.

In addition to the important practical purpose that the pumping station served, the Woudagemaal is also a beautiful piece of architecture. The building is designed in the typical Amsterdam School style and is a beautiful example of industrial architecture from the 20th century. The facade of the pumping station is decorated with brick ornaments and sculptures that are typical for this style.

The Woudagemaal is not only an important tourist attraction, but also a center for education and research. The pumping station regularly organizes events and exhibitions where visitors can learn more about the history of the pumping station and about the technology of water management in Friesland. There is also a visitor center where visitors can find more information about the pumping station and the history of Friesland.