Hof ter Walskerke watermill

West Flanders’ only remaining operational watermill can be found in Anzegem. It has been there since the 15th century and is part of the Ter Walskerke farm. The miller gladly welcomes groups of interested visitors by appointment. The mill was listed as a monument in 1983.

Watermills are very rare in these parts because most of them disappeared when the River Lys was straightened and canalised. And an operational watermill is truly unique.

Hof Ter Walskerke already featured a watermill in the 15th century, when it was mainly used for grinding grain. The current building dates from the 18th century and the metal water wheel from 1907. The buildings have been the property of Harelbeke’s Bureau van Weldadigheid, now OCMW (Public Social Welfare Centre), since the year 1900. The mill was thoroughly restored in 1995; some minor repairs took place in 2011.

The watermill was used to generate electricity until the first half of the 20th century. Nowadays it is mainly operated for demonstration purposes during group visits. Another important task for the miller is to regulate the water level of the Maalbeek stream by means of the mill's stop logs and sluice gates.

On Sunday mornings the wheel turns without grinding grain for the benefit of the many cycling tourists who pass by it.

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