Briekenmolen in Wervik

Briekenmolen, also known as Stenen Molen (Stone Mill), is a stone-built windmill standing on Koestraat in the Belgian town of Wervik, close to the French border. The street it stands on used to be called Briquemolenstraat, named directly after the mill. Today Briekenmolen is one of the recognizable pieces of local industrial heritage and a popular stop for visitors exploring Wervik.

When was the mill built?

The mill was most likely built between 1800 and 1805. It originally operated as an oil mill, pressing oil from oilseed crops — a common activity in this part of West Flanders at the time. By 1837 at the latest, ownership had passed to the Vanelslande family (also recorded as Van Elslande), who would remain connected to the mill for a long stretch of its history.

How did the mill's purpose change over time?

In 1844, the Van Elslande family received permission to expand operations and also grind grain, alongside the existing oil production. This gave the mill a dual economic function, a practical arrangement that let its owners diversify income depending on local demand for oil versus flour.

What did the mill survive during the First World War?

Briekenmolen holds a distinct place in Wervik's history as the only windmill in town to survive the First World War. It did not come through unscathed, however — the mill lost its cap (the rotating top structure) and its sails, both essential to its operation. Despite this damage, it was restored to working condition relatively quickly, unlike the town's other windmills, which the war destroyed for good. This makes the mill a tangible witness to Wervik's early 20th-century history.

Who owns the mill today?

After passing through many different owners across the 19th and 20th centuries, Briekenmolen has belonged to the city of Wervik since 1979. Municipal authorities took over the mill with the aim of preserving it as part of the town's local heritage. The restoration itself took considerable time to organize — work only began in January 1987, nearly a decade after the city acquired the mill.

What can visitors see at Briekenmolen today?

The outbuildings adjoining the mill now house the Tabaksmuseum (Tobacco Museum), a nod to the region's history of tobacco cultivation and processing, which was an important part of Wervik's local economy for decades. The combination of a historic windmill with a museum exhibition makes the site an interesting stop for anyone curious about both industrial architecture and the agricultural history of West Flanders.

Frequently asked questions

Can Briekenmolen be visited? The mill, together with the adjoining Tobacco Museum, is part of Wervik's tourism offering and is made accessible to visitors as part of local heritage routes — it's worth checking current opening hours with the municipal tourism office before visiting.

Why is the mill also called Stenen Molen? The name "Stenen Molen" (Stone Mill) refers to its masonry construction, distinguishing it from the wooden post mills that also existed in the region.

What sets Briekenmolen apart from Wervik's other mills? It is the only mill in town that physically survived the First World War, albeit with damage — the rest of Wervik's windmills were destroyed during that period.