The Dutch Kremlin: A Hidden Fantasy World in North Holland
- Sep 27, 2025
- 4 min read
When you think of the Netherlands, your mind probably jumps to windmills, canals, or tulip fields. But tucked away in the quiet village of Winkel lies something entirely unexpected: a fantastical art garden that looks like it belongs in a Russian fairytale. Welcome to the Dutch Kremlin (Kunsttuin Nederlands Kremlin), the life’s work of one extraordinary man, Ger Leegwater.
A Dream Built by One Man
The Dutch Kremlin isn’t a theme park or a government project. It’s the result of decades of passion and persistence by Ger, a retired sheet-metal worker born in 1945. With no formal training in architecture or art, he began building around his 40th birthday. What started as a small personal project grew into a full-blown sculpture garden that today covers roughly one hectare.
Ger collected leftover and recycled building materials from demolition sites, scrap yards, and donations, and turned them into arches, domes, towers, fountains, and statues. Instead of working from blueprints, he relied on imagination and improvisation. If he found a pile of sheet metal or a discarded column, he figured out how to make it part of his dream.
Inspirations from Around the World
Walking through the Dutch Kremlin feels like stepping into a collage of cultures and myths.
Russian architecture with onion domes, spires, and fortress-like walls gives the complex its “Kremlin” name.
Italian influence appears in baroque arches, columns, and fountains that echo the grandeur of Italy.
Mythology and religion are represented by sculptures of Neptune, Pegasus, Archangel Michael, Saint George, and Orpheus, blending Biblical stories with Greek legends.
Personal touches are everywhere, from swirling metal spheres to hand-forged sculptures and improvised lifting systems that Ger designed himself.
Highlights of the Dutch Kremlin
Every corner reveals a new surprise, but here are some of the must-see parts:
The Kremlin Monument: Walls and towers topped with domes and spheres, inspired by Russian fortresses.
Amphitheater: A small stage-like space where Saint George battles the dragon, surrounded by other mythic figures.
Neptune Fountain: Featuring Neptune, Triton, Pegasus, and other sea-themed sculptures, dramatic and playful at once.
Michael’s Chapel: A chapel-like structure decorated with angelic and religious motifs, which can even host small weddings or events.
Pathways and arches: Each turn reveals a new mix of recycled stone, iron, and artful improvisation.
The Making of a Lifelong Project
What makes the Dutch Kremlin so special is not just its appearance, but the story behind it. Ger has been building for over three decades, often alone and without cranes or professional equipment. He invented his own lifting techniques to place heavy domes and statues. For him, every piece of salvaged material carries a history and gains a second life in his art.
When I spoke with Ger, his passion was clear. This isn’t about money or recognition; it is about creation itself. He told me that he simply builds because he feels compelled to, because the ideas never stop coming. That ongoing energy is why the Dutch Kremlin never feels “finished.” It is always evolving.
Why It Matters
The Dutch Kremlin is a perfect example of outsider art: a personal, unconventional creation outside the world of museums and institutions. It challenges our ideas of what art or architecture should be. It is whimsical yet monumental, improvised yet powerful.
More than anything, it shows what one person with imagination, persistence, and passion can achieve. Ger transformed an ordinary backyard in Winkel into a place that now draws visitors from all over the world.
Practical Visitor Information
If you’re curious to see it for yourself:
📍 Address: Limmerschouw 51, 1731 NJ Winkel, North Holland.
🕐 Opening: The garden is privately owned. It is open when the sign is out, or you can contact Ger and his wife Mientje. It is best to check ahead.
💶 Entrance: Around €6 per person (bring cash). Photography with your phone is welcome.🚆 Getting there: By public transport, take a train to Alkmaar, then a bus toward Nieuwe Niedorp, and walk to Winkel. By car, it is about a 45-minute drive north of Amsterdam.
Tip: Bring time and curiosity. Every angle has something new to discover.
My Impressions
Walking through the Dutch Kremlin, I felt like I had stepped into a dream world stitched together from myths, cathedrals, and fantasy tales. The scale is impressive, but it is the details that stay with you: a whimsical sculpture here, a weathered arch there, the way sunlight catches on recycled sheet metal.
Talking with Ger made it even more special. You realize this isn’t just a garden, it is a lifelong conversation between a man and his imagination.
Conclusion
The Dutch Kremlin is one of the most unexpected and inspiring hidden gems in the Netherlands. It is not polished or conventional, but that is what makes it unforgettable. If you’re looking for something truly unique beyond Amsterdam’s usual highlights, this is a must-see.
It proves that creativity knows no boundaries, and that sometimes one person’s dream can become a place for all of us to wonder at.
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