Wouda pumping station

The Wouda Pumping Station (1922) is a pumping station in Lemmer, Netherlands, and is an iconic example of Dutch engineering and architecture. It was designed by architect Jan Blanken and is one of the largest steam powered pumping stations in Europe. The station has two 22m high steam engines, which were designed to pump up to 40 million m3 of water a year from the nearby lake IJsselmeer, channeling it to the Zuiderzee.

The elaborate neo-renaissance style building is clad in red Bussum bricks and features numerous decorative gables, arches and dormer windows. Inside, the engines are preserved in their original condition, with the entire building surrounded by a low wall and reflecting pool. The station is open for visits and is a popular tourist destination. The nearby Dykenkiezel Park is an excellent spot for bird-watching, as it is home to a wide variety of waterfowl.