Why Tulips Clogs and Windmills Made Amsterdam Famous
Amsterdam may be known for its canals and laid-back atmosphere, but some of the most enduring symbols of the Netherlands reach far beyond the city’s picturesque canals. Tulips, clogs (wooden shoes), and windmills are instantly recognizable worldwide, yet their stories are often misunderstood. Tulips did not originate here, wooden shoes were never a national fashion statement, and windmills were far more than quaint backdrops for postcards. Each of these icons has roots in Dutch history, industry, and daily life, shaping the country in practical and surprising ways.
Tulips in the Netherlands
From Turkey to Tulip Mania
Tulips are not Dutch at all! In the 16th century wealthy people began to buy tulip bulbs which were brought back from Turkey. In the 17th century Europe and especially the Dutch were seized by tulip mania. A small bed of tulips was soon worth an astronomical amount of money. Bulbs became an actual type of currency. Their value changed from day to day and was quoted like stocks and shares.
Soon it was enough simply to show a piece of paper attesting to the ownership of a bulb, which was then sold at a higher price, without producing the actual bulb. In the middle of the seventeenth century a decree was issued declaring that the purchase and sale of tulip bulbs was to be conducted in the same way as any other business. Speculation ceased and many people were ruined. And prices fell to reasonable proportions.
Today’s Tulip Season
Today, during the ‘tulip season”, roughly March to June there is an abundance of tulips in shops, at markets, at very reasonable prices so that tulips take pride of place in many a Dutch home.
Tourist Tip: Visit Keukenhof Gardens, just 40 minutes from Amsterdam, to see millions of tulips in bloom. Stay in Amsterdam the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market) or visit the Tulip Barn to see colourful fields up close
Wooden Shoes (Klompen)
Function Over Fashion
Wooden shoes are synonymous for Holland and everyone wears them. Let me put this straight: only very few Dutch people actually wear them, only farmers, market gardeners and the like because wooden shoes are practical and protect far better against sharp objects than rubber boots. Besides it would be quite painful and disastrous if a cow or horse would stand on your foot. Another advantage is that they are a good remedy against smelly feet.
Craftsmanship and Tradition
Wooden shoes are made from pliable poplar wood, carefully carved and hand-painted. A handful of craftsmen still keep this tradition alive, and tourists can watch the process in workshops.
Tourist Tip: At Zaanse Schans, just outside Amsterdam, you can watch clog-making demonstrations and buy hand-painted pairs. The Wooden Shoe Museum in Eelde showcases unique historic designs if you are curious about the artistry behind them.
Windmills in the Netherlands
Keeping the Netherlands Dry
Windmills are not just an invention to please foreign visitors. Ever since the 16th century, hundreds of thousands of Dutch people have been living below sea level. To make this possible, windmills were used to drain the land and keep it dry.
Beyond Water Management
These days, windmills are still an important element of water management the Netherlands. The invention of crankshaft made it possible to use wind energy for a whole range of industrial purposes. From the 17th century onwards windmills were used in the paper and timber industries thus creating the first industrial zones
Tourist Tip: Head to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 19 windmills, for breathtaking views and history. For an easier half-day trip from Amsterdam, visit Zaanse Schans, where you can tour functioning windmills still producing oil, paint, and flour.
Further reading
Best places to see tulips and the bulb fields
Tulip mania in 17th century Amsterdam
