Coulter mill - Sint-Martens-Latem

The so-called Kouter is the former arable land of Latem. The beautiful mill at this location is aptly called Koutermolen.

The mill, a wooden corn windmill from the fourteenth century (first mention in 1373), is the only remaining one in the East Flemish Lys region. During the religious troubles in the second half of the 16th century, the moIen was destroyed, but rebuilt after 1600. Between 1778-1779 a horse mill was added to the construction; a mill powered by a horse. In 1798 the mill was publicly sold as a church property.

The mill was dismantled around 1977 and moved to the other side of the miller's house, where the mill now catches more wind. The 'relocation' was carried out in a professional manner, the technical infrastructure has remained virtually intact. The mill is still operational.

The Latem mill has always been a subject of the first order in painting . Artists such as Valerius de Saedeleer, Maurice Sys, Gust De Smet and Albert Saverys have regularly depicted her on their canvases.

Willem Vandenameele