The watermill of Rotselaar

The Watermolen van Rotselaar or the Maalderij Van Doren, is a watermill of the turbine type on the Dijle and is used as a hydroelectric power station. The mill is first mentioned in 1217. In the 17th century the mill was the third largest mill in the Netherlands. The Dukes of Arenberg had the present miller's house built in 1573. But interesting here is the pear-shaped decoration as we find it on several buildings of the Arenberg family. Just think of the St. John the Baptist Church in Werchter.
Milling operations ceased in 1968 due to excessive competition from industrial mills. The buildings are today a cohabitation project, in which about 30 people live. The water wheel has been producing green electricity since 1995 and has been owned by Ecopower since 2004.

At first glance, you won't notice much iron sandstone. But if you look closely, you can see here and there wall skirting or window frames with this stone. Take a look at the water wheel. Iron sandstone is at its best in the water and was often still used for those parts that were constantly wet or flooded.

Jan Rymenams