Windmill Prinsenmolen

Mill, located on the mill mound, a small hill northwest of the church. Round stone windmill of the belt or hill type, built in the second half of the 19th century (according to land registry data from around 1884, according to literature from 1906) on the site of an earlier wooden post mill that is believed to date back at least to the 16th century (see penningcohieren from 1571) and was owned by the princes of Gavere (the last was Mr. Pignatelli). At the end of the 18th century, the mill was sold publicly as national property. Addition of a steam mill in the mid-19th century. The new mill operated with wind power until 1953 and at the same time had an electric mill with roller mills at the bottom of the mill. Since the storm in 1972, it has been without a sail. Restoration has been ongoing for about 10 years, carried out by P.V.B.A. Mariman (Zele), the sail is still missing. Currently restored whitwashed body on the hill, accessible via two driveways in the north and the south. On the mound, there are two arched doors under the water list and segmental arch windows under the same water list with iron bar divisions. On the upper floor there are respectively a stone attic and a loft, four and two similar windows under the water list. Ventilation holes between the surrounding brick border under the cap. With artificial slate covering the roof of the East Flemish type with sloping and symmetrical roof planes above the end gables. Wooden struts connected to the tail by whip-like rods. The cap rests on 53 elm trees, cylindrical rollers in an elm roller cart. A riveted steel sail with 31 reeds (see the original Verhaeghe product) is planned in the restoration. Infrastructure: two stone pairs with new light work, winch, etc., so that it can be mill-ready again after restoration. In front of it, a recent miller’s house with two floors under a gable roof and brick facing.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen