The Kinderdijk windmills at sunrise

by Sander Poppe

On winter mornings, there is often a special tranquillity at Kinderdijk. As the first rays of sun appear above the horizon, the clouds slowly turn orange, pink and blue. The light spreads across the water, gradually bringing the famous windmills out of the shadows.

On this particular morning, the beam of light above the horizon was particularly striking. The sun itself remained largely hidden at that moment, but its rays fanned out like a fan across the landscape. Together with the reflections in the calm water, this created a scene in which sky, water and windmills seemed completely interconnected.

What appeals to me about Kinderdijk is the balance between nature and history. The windmills are inextricably linked to the landscape, yet they do not dominate the scene. On the contrary, they enhance the sense of space that is so characteristic of the Alblasserwaard.

With its soft colours, open water and recognisable windmills, this photograph exudes a timeless tranquillity. The image brings a touch of the stillness of a winter’s morning indoors and fits beautifully in a home, office or public space where light, space and the Dutch landscape take centre stage.