Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Loading...
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
27 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
27 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
27 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
27 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the Netherlands Winkel Kremlin of the Netherlands

Kremlin of the Netherlands

This miniature take on the Kremlin is one Dutch man's retirement project.

Winkel, Netherlands

Added By
joel
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Dutch Kremlin in Winkel, The Netherlands.   Keijser via Wikipedia
Dutch Kremlin in Winkel, The Netherlands.   Keijser via Wikipedia
  Hans Leony Geijtenbeek
  Hans Leony Geijtenbeek
Kremlin Winkel   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Kremlin Winkel   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Kremlin Winkel   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Kremlin Winkel   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Kremlin Winkel   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Kremlin Winkel   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
The entrance   Mathias Van de Velde / Atlas Obscura User
One of the fountains   Mathias Van de Velde / Atlas Obscura User
  Hans Leony Geijtenbeek
Mini Kremlin   robvdlee63 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

What is the Kremlin doing in a Dutch town of less than 3,000 people? Only one man really knows, but he'll be happy to show you around.  

Ger Leegwater, a retired sheet metal worker, began building this colorful installation in 1990, just outside the town of Winkel in the Dutch province of North Holland. Leegwater is not an architect, he's just an enthusiast. While the bulbous domes and bright colors of his project invite comparison to the Russian Kremlin, this is not quite a replica. Instead, inspired by classical and Russian Orthodox architecture, Leegwater began using his newly-acquired free time to coax sheet metal and recycled materials into something he was excited about. 

Looking like something out of a Russian fairy tale, complete with towers, gates and arches, the project includes several freestanding pieces. The central tower-like structure of the complex measures a full 45 feet wide, 52 feet long, and 33 feet high. There's also a small chapel, which is available for marriage ceremonies. Leegwater is apparently not one to skimp on detail, and he has gone the whole nine yards with decorative elements - each onion-like dome is crowned by a emblem, be it a star, a cross, or a sickle and hammer. Later additions to what has become known as the "Kremlin of the Netherlands" include sculptures of mythical and religious figures, from Saint George and the Dragon to Orpheus.

The site is open for visitors by appointment, or anytime that Leegwater has placed the "open" sign on the front gate. 

Related Tags

Outsider Architecture Outsider Art Mythology

Community Contributors

Added By

leiris

Edited By

hana, Sarah Laskow, robvdlee63, vasilisapremudra...

  • hana
  • Sarah Laskow
  • robvdlee63
  • vasilisapremudra
  • Mathias Van de Velde
  • agnesvermaas

Published

October 2, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.spacesarchives.org/explore/collection/environment/nederlands-kremlin-kremlin-of-the-netherlands-/
  • http://outsider-environments.blogspot.com/2010/11/ger-leegwater-nederlands-kremlinkremlin.html
  • https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nederlands_Kremlin
Kremlin of the Netherlands
51 Limmerschouw
Winkel, 1731 NJ
Netherlands
52.748533, 4.916204
Get Directions

Nearby Places

J. Boom

Alkmaar, Netherlands

miles away

Bottle-ship Museum

Enkhuizen, Netherlands

miles away

Cigar Band House

Volendam, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Netherlands

Netherlands

Europe

Places 354
Stories 21

Nearby Places

J. Boom

Alkmaar, Netherlands

miles away

Bottle-ship Museum

Enkhuizen, Netherlands

miles away

Cigar Band House

Volendam, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Netherlands

Netherlands

Europe

Places 354
Stories 21

Related Places

  • Tres Piedras, New Mexico

    $CRAP$ Shrine

    It is intended to take one back to a stripped-down simplicity, to spend extended time both inside and out, and absorb the natural drama of the Upper Rio Grande Valley.

  • George Masaveg in front of his creation

    Cleveland, Ohio

    George Masaveg Art Home

    One man's collection of found art, sculpture, and ephemera adorns his two side-by-side homes.

  • Veiga, Spain

    Casa das Pedriñas

    This house covered in small stones was the work of one man over the course of nearly 30 years.

  • Metal gate sculpture

    Denver, Colorado

    Enchanted Hart Haus

    A home covered with elaborate mosaic and other pieces of art.

  • Benalmádena, Spain

    Castillo Monumento Colomares

    A New York–based physician returned home to Spain to build his own elaborate monument to Christopher Columbus.

  • Fugetsu En’nen

    Tokyo, Japan

    'Fugetsu En'nen'

    This strange mural located in the Ueno station is filled with traditional Japanese symbolism.

  • McLauchlin’s typical mix of Mexican and Indian religious influences.

    San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

    The Chapel of Jimmy Ray

    An artist's suburban abode looks like an architectural fever dream.

  • Chiesetta di Piedigrotta.

    Pizzo, Italy

    Chiesetta di Piedigrotta (Church of Piedigrotta)

    This church carved into the rocks is full of enchanting stone statues.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.