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Unesco Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal
A magical experience of steam, architecture, and water, the ir. D.F. Woudagemaal in Lemmer is the largest functioning steam pumping station in the world. The pumping station was opened by Queen Wilhemina in 1920 and had the task of pumping excess water from Friesland into the Zuiderzee, and later the IJsselmeer.
The stately brick building is sleek and sober in character, entirely in keeping with the style of the Amsterdam School. The duties of the steam pumping station in Lemmer were taken over in 1966 by the electric Highland pumping station in Stavoren. Nevertheless, the monumental Woudagemaal still plays a crucial role in emergencies. In the event of extremely high water, the old steam pumping station is still used to discharge excess water into the IJsselmeer as quickly as possible. Since 1998, the Woudagemaal has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
