Molen de Ster — Attraction in Utrecht

Molen de Ster is a historic timber-masonry windmill located on the banks of the Leidsche Rijn in the Lombok district of Utrecht. Here's the detailed information:

🛠️ History & Architecture • First installation: Founded in 1739 by Jordan van der Ven and Arien van der Starren. The surname "Starren" is known as the primary source of the name "De Ster" (Star). • City-wide: It is one of the only timber-masonry windmills around Utrecht powered by wind, with a body height of approximately 20m and a wingspan of 9m. • Electrification & demolition: In 1911, wind power was replaced by an electric sawmill, and the upper section was demolished; only the zagerij (sawing section) remained operational. • Restoration & Reconstruction: The Sterremolen Foundation, established in 1988, rebuilt the mill section between 1996 and 1998 and reopened on June 22, 1999.

📦 Complex & Use • Molenerf de Ster: The original complex includes the mill, mill, molenaar house, two workers' houses, three wooden drying sheds, a boat ramp, and a canalside installation. • Activities: Live sawmill demos and guided tours are offered free of charge on weekends (especially on Saturdays, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM). • Cultural event center: Molencafé (Friday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM), a children's playground, farm animals, and hosts events such as weddings, meetings, and concerts.

🎉 Special Events & Anniversaries • Prince Claus raised the helm again at the 25th anniversary restoration celebration; It has been valued as a modern landmark in the Lombok neighborhood.

ℹ️ Visiting Information • Address: Molenpark 3, 3531 ET Utrecht • Access: Short walk (5 min) from Utrecht Central Station; easily accessible by public transport or bicycle. • Visiting Hours: Free tours on Saturdays; Molencafé open Friday–Sunday 10:00–17:00. • For children: Playground and farm animals available; offers cultural entertainment.

Summary

Molen de Ster is a historic, freely restored 18th-century wooden saw mill. The surrounding complex maintains both its industrial function and functions as a social and cultural center. It offers an ideal place to spend time in the city, surrounded by nature, with weekend tours, events, a café, and child-friendly activities.

Molen de Ster, Utrecht’un Lombok semtinde Leidsche Rijn kenarında yer alan tarihi bir ahşap-yığma yel değirmenidir. İşte detaylı bilgiler:

🛠️ Tarihi & Mimari • İlk kurulum: 1739 yılında Jordan van der Ven ve Arien van der Starren tarafından kuruldu. “Starren” soyadı, “De Ster” (Yıldız) ismini açıklayan asıl kaynak olarak bilinir  . • Şehir ölçeğinde: Utrecht çevresinde yel gücüyle çalışan yegâne ahşap yığınlı değirmenlerden biridir, yaklaşık 20 m gövde yüksekliği ve 9 m’lik kanat açıklığı vardır (). • Elektrifikasyon & yıkım: 1911’de yel gücü yerine elektrikli testere sistemine geçildi, üst kısım yıkıldı; yalnızca zagerij (testere bölümü) çalıştı . • Restorasyon & yeniden inşaat: 1988’de kurulan “Sterremolen Vakfı”, 1996–1998 arasında yeniden değirmen kısmını inşa etti ve 22 Haziran 1999’da yeniden açıldı .

📦 Kompleks & Kullanım • Molenerf de Ster: Orijinal komplekste; değirmen, öğütücü, molenaar evi, iki çalışan evi, üç ahşap kuruma ambarı, bir gemi kayığı rampası ve kanal kenarı kurulumu yer alır . • Faaliyetler: Hafta sonları (özellikle Cumartesi 13:00–16:00 arası) canlı testere demosu ve rehberli turlar ücretsiz olarak düzenlenmektedir

• Erişim: Utrecht Merkez İstasyonu’ndan kısa yürüyüş (5 dk); toplu taşıma veya bisikletle kolayca ulaşılabilir. • Ziyaret saatleri: Cumartesi free turlar; molencafé Cuma–Pazar 10:00–17:00 arası açık . • Çocuklar için: Oyun alanı & çiftlik hayvanları mevcut; kültürel eğlence sunuyor

Özet

Molen de Ster; 18. yüzyıldan kalan, özgür şekilde restore edilmiş tarihi bir ahşap testere değirmenidir. Değirmenin çevresindeki komplekste hem endüstriyel anlamda fonksiyonunu sürdürmekte hem de sosyal-kültürel bir merkez olarak faaliyet göstermekte; hafta sonları turlar, etkinlikler, café ve çocuk dostu aktivitelerle şehir içinde doğayla iç içe vakit geçirmek için ideal bir yer...

Wij zijn getrouwd in De Ster en kunnen niet enthousiast genoeg beschrijven hoe goed deze locatie is.

De locatie is natuurlijk prachtig. Mooi gelegen aan het water, met een unieke look en sfeervolle binnenkant. Het hele terrein maakt het een unieke en ongedwongen plek voor je feest/borrel/huwelijk. Overdag merk je niks van het terras wat dan nog open is, en na sluiting van het terras is het een prachtig terrein waar iedereen heerlijk rond kan lopen en kan genieten van de unieke locatie.

In de voorbereiding waren ze uitstekend. Helder in communicatie en verwachtingen. Ze dachten goed mee met onze wensen, en hielpen ons ook met leveranciers waarmee ze goede ervaringen hadden. De hele voorbereiding was een plezier om te doen.

De dag zelf verliep ook als een zonnetje. Alles was zeer goed voorbereid, mooi (maar niet opzichtig) aangekleed, en volledig zoals afgesproken. Het personeel is op de achtergrond heel hard aan het werk om alles in goede banen te leiden, maar zijn onopvallend aanwezig als ze de inrichting veranderen voor de verschillende momenten. Daarnaast zijn ze verschrikkelijk attent en vriendelijk. Alle drankjes en hapjes zijn geweldig geregeld, ze houden goed rekening met de wensen, en springen met plezier bij om nét dat ene drankje te halen wat op is, of te voldoen aan een specifieke wens.

Wij (en onze gasten) hebben een geweldige dag gehad, met dank aan iedereen van De Ster die daaraan heeft bijgedragen. Voor een bruiloft zullen we niet meer terugkomen, maar we we zullen vaak een drankje en een broodje komen nuttigen op het heerlijke terras om weer na te genieten van een perfecte dag.

Dank jullie...

I had a wonderful time at this mill! When I got there with my friend they were already closing for visit, but the lady showed everything to us, explained how the mill works with so much love for her work that it made the best part of our trip to Utrecht. After a lot of learning I had the most amazing hot chocolate with caramel from another very nice woman. I recommend the visit to the mill and also to the coffee...