De Kat, Zaandam

Geschiedenis

De Kat is the only remaining working windmill in the world which makes paint. The mill is in the Zaanse Schans, Zaanstad.The original mill 'De Kat' was built in 1646 as an oil mill. In 1782 the mill was destroyed by fire but the mill was rapidly rebuilt again. The mill was in use until 1904 and then was partially demolished.In 1960 the eight-sided paint mill 'De Duinjager' was removed from its former position owing to urban development and placed on top of the old storehouse of 'De Kat'. The mill is again grinding raw materials such as chalk to make pigments for paints in the traditional way. The mill is owned by the Vereniging De Zaansche Molen.

"De Kat heeft veel te bieden.Van cultuur en oudheid opsnuiven tot het meemaken van de ambachtelijke passie van de molenaar.De verfmolen heeft één van de grootste assortimenten verfstoffen van Nederland.Van beginnend Schilder tot ware kunstenaar, een ieder zal verrukt zijn bij de aanblik van onze “verfkamer”."