Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal (D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station) in Netherlands

Facts and Data

Webpages:
Official Unesco Page
Stichting Platform Werelderfgoed Nederland
De Friese waterschappen
Woudagemaal (Official Web site)
Monuments of Curaçao
Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
View photos from OUR PLACE the World Heritage collection

Basis Data:
Unesco World heritage since: 1998
Size of heritage: 7.32 ha
- Buffer zone: 21 ha

Coordinates:
Longitude: 5,679°
Latitude: 52,846°

Summary

The Wouda Pumping Station at Lemmer in the province of Friesland opened in 1920. It is the largest steam-pumping station ever built and is still in operation. It represents the high point of the contribution made by Netherlands engineers and architects in protecting their people and land against the natural forces of water.

Location on Map

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Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal (D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station)

The Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal, also known as the D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station, is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Lemmer, in the Lemsterland Municipality of the Province of Friesland, Netherlands. It is an exceptional example of early 20th-century steam-driven pumping stations and is still in operation today.

History

The construction of the D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station began in 1917 and was completed in 1920. It was named after Dirk Frederik Wouda, the chief engineer of the Provincial Water Board of Friesland, who designed the pumping station. The purpose of the station was to drain excess water from the surrounding polders and prevent flooding in the region.

At the time of its construction, the D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station was the largest and most advanced steam-driven pumping station in the world. It was a significant engineering achievement, combining both functionality and architectural beauty. The building was designed in the Amsterdam School architectural style, characterized by its expressive brickwork and decorative elements.

For several decades, the pumping station played a crucial role in regulating water levels in Friesland. It was operated by a team of skilled engineers and workers who maintained the steam engines and pumps. However, with the advent of electric pumping technology, the station's role diminished, and it was eventually decommissioned in 1966.

Current State

Recognizing the historical and architectural significance of the D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. Today, it stands as a testament to the ingenuity of early 20th-century engineering and continues to be an operational pumping station.

Visitors to the D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station can explore the impressive machinery and learn about its functioning through guided tours. The station's massive steam engines, with their intricate mechanisms and towering presence, are awe-inspiring. The rhythmic sound of the engines and the smell of steam evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era.

The pumping station also houses an exhibition that provides insights into the history of water management in the Netherlands and the importance of the station in preventing floods. It showcases the technological advancements made in pumping technology over the years.

The D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station is not only a historical and cultural landmark but also continues to serve its original purpose. During periods of heavy rainfall or high water levels, the station is activated to pump excess water from the polders, ensuring the safety of the surrounding areas.

Overall, the Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal (D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station) is a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site that combines engineering excellence, architectural beauty, and historical significance. It stands as a testament to the Netherlands' ongoing battle against water and the innovative solutions developed to manage it.

Hotels and places to stay

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Iselmar Sporthotel

Address
Distance: 0,4 mi
Plattedijk 16
8531 PC Lemmer
Netherlands

Time Information

Checkout: 11:00 - Checkin: 15:00
Reception
Weekday: 7:00 - 22:00
Weekend: 7:30 - 22:00

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Herberg Boswijck

Address
Distance: 4,4 mi
Jachtlustweg 16
8563 AA Wijckel
Netherlands

Time Information

Checkout: 10:30 - Checkin: 15:00
Reception
Weekday: 8:00 - 20:00 (lunchbreak: 10:30 - 15:00)
Weekend: 8:00 - 20:00 (lunchbreak: 10:30 - 15:00)

Videos from the area

Het Ir DF Woudagemaal Lemmer - Largest, still working, steam engine (pump) in The Netherlands

Published: August 20, 2014
Length: 50:14 min
Rating: 0 of 5
Author: Alfred

Het gemaal is sinds 1947 vernoemd naar ir. D.F. Wouda, hoofdingenieur van de Provinciale Waterstaat van Friesland.[1] Hij ontwierp het in 1917-'18 gebouwde pand in een traditionele stijl met...

Bezoekerscentrum Woudagemaal

Published: April 05, 2012
Length: 58:25 min
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Ryan9704

Een impressie van het bezoekerscentrum bij het woudagemaal.

Woudagemaal Lemmer (puur geluid !)

Published: November 01, 2010
Length: 44:50 min
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Charles Storm

Het grootste, nog werkende, stoomgemaal ter wereld. Geplaatst op de Unesco werelderfgoed lijst.

GPTV: Dag van het Zwarte Koor in Woudagemaal Lemmer

Published: October 29, 2014
Length: 00:00 min
Rating: 0 of 5
Author: GPTV

Op zaterdag 1 november wordt voor de tweede keer de Dag van het Zwarte Koor gevierd. Het evenement vindt jaarlijks plaats op de eerste zaterdag van november in en rond het Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal.

Woudagemaal droechset

Published: May 07, 2012
Length: 04:56 min
Rating: 0 of 5
Author: Omrop Fryslân

Er is maandag een nieuwe stap gezet in het grote restauratieproject van het Woudagemaal bij Tacozijl. De komende weken wordt het beton- en metselwurk van een uitstroomopening gerestaureerd....