Molenmuseum de Valk is a museum and a working windmill in Leiden, the Netherlands. It was built in 1743 and it is one of the few remaining tower mills in the country. Here you can learn about the history, life, skills and techniques of the 18th-century Dutch miller.
Molenmuseum de Valk’s ticket price for adults is €5, for children (6-18 years) is €2.50, and for children under 6 years is free. You can also buy a combination ticket with Museum De Lakenhal for €12.50. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, and on Sunday from 13:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays.
To get to the Molenmuseum de Valk, you can take a bus or a train to Leiden Central Station, and then walk for about 15 minutes. You can also rent a bike or take a taxi from the station. The museum is located at 2e Binnenvestgracht 5c, near the city center.
Some tips for visiting the Molenmuseum de Valk are:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as you will have to climb some steep stairs to reach the top of the mill.
- Bring a camera or a smartphone, as you can take beautiful pictures of the mill and the city from the viewing platform.
- Check the website for special events and activities, such as guided tours, workshops and demonstrations.
The Molenmuseum de Valk offers guided tours for groups of up to 15 people, which last about an hour. You can book a tour in advance by phone or email. The tour costs €50 per group, plus the admission fee. You can also join a free audio tour with your smartphone, which will tell you more about the mill and its history.
Some of the things you can see in the Molenmuseum de Valk are:
- The original millstones and gears that grind the grain into flour
- The living quarters of the miller and his family, furnished with period objects
- The collection of models, paintings and tools related to windmills
- The exhibition about the history and development of windmills in the Netherlands and abroad
The Molenmuseum de Valk has some prohibitions for visitors, such as:
- No smoking or vaping inside or outside the mill
- No pets allowed, except for guide dogs
- No eating or drinking inside the mill
- No touching or moving any objects or parts of the mill
