The Old Mill, looking out over the landscape

Although today the Old Mill is only a ruin, this tower mill is considered particularly interesting because the sturdy cylindrical mill hull made of local iron sandstone and brick with a base of white Gobertange stone is a rare occurrence from a distant and long past. In 1428 we find the first mention of a flour mill on this site, a witness hill that towers above the surrounding area. It was owned by the lord of Rivieren from nearby Gelrode. This was probably a wooden standard mill that was destroyed during the military operations at the end of the 15th century. It was replaced at the beginning of the 16th century by the current stone mill crowned with a hood with sails, which was originally turned to the wind from the inside (inner porter). As far as we know, this is the first stone mill in Flanders that was built so early, i.e. In 1597, it is mentioned.
The mill was not a ban mill in which case the local inhabitants would be obliged to have their grain ground here. That the mill was economically important is evident from the fact that roads lead to the mill from four sides. Striking are the opposite arched passages below to drive the carts that had to be loaded or unloaded through the mill.
The mill house was probably located at the foot of the hill. In 1750, miller Jacob Pelgrims had a beautiful longhouse built, which is now known as the 'Scharpé House'.
On 12 September 1914, the mill was set on fire by the Belgian troops and would not be repaired.
The mill has been owned by Natuurpunt since the early 1990s and for decades attempts have been made to save the mill from further decay. In 2019, the Flemish government made money available to consolidate the mill and set it up as a viewing platform. The festive inauguration took place in October 2022.

Jan Rymenams