De Witte Molen, Aarschot

De Witte Molen is a distinctive tower windmill standing in Aarschot, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Its round, brick construction and an unusual top-turning cap mechanism — uncommon among windmills in Flanders — make it easy to spot even from a distance.

Where did the mill come from and what happened to it?

The story of De Witte Molen doesn't actually begin in Aarschot. The original wooden grain mill, called the "Plattenbosmolen," was built in 1843 in Heist-op-den-Berg, a neighboring municipality. In 1878, on the initiative of a farmer named Josephus Stevens, the entire structure was relocated to Aarschot — a practice that was relatively common for windmills in the region during that era.

The mill's fortunes took a dramatic turn during the First World War. In 1914, amid fighting near Aarschot, the building was completely destroyed by fire set by German forces. Reconstruction didn't happen immediately — it took until 1920 for the mill to be rebuilt, this time as a brick structure fitted with the rare top-turning cap mechanism that still defines its silhouette today.

How did the building's purpose change over time?

After the Second World War, the mill stopped operating on wind power altogether. The new owner switched the drive mechanism to electricity, a common transition for many windmills of the period as traditional wind-driven milling became economically obsolete.

An even bigger transformation followed in 1954. By then in a state of disrepair, the mill was converted and extended with additional outbuildings, turning it into a bowling hall complete with a bar and restaurant. Flour production gave way to leisure and hospitality, with the mill tower becoming an architectural centerpiece of a larger complex rather than a working structure.

Is De Witte Molen protected today?

Yes. In 1994, the building was granted protected monument status, formally recognizing its historical and architectural value despite decades without any milling function. The protection covers the mill's characteristic round brick tower and its surviving rotating cap mechanism.

What should visitors know before heading there?

The mill is located in Aarschot, a small town in Flemish Brabant, at approximately 51.00187, 4.83489. It sits in a part of Belgium that's fairly easy to reach for travelers exploring the area between Leuven and Antwerp.

Frequently asked questions

Is De Witte Molen still an active windmill? No — since the 1950s it has served other purposes (most notably as a bowling hall with a restaurant), and its wind-powered drive was already replaced by electricity after the Second World War.

Why is it called the "White Mill"? The name refers to the light-colored appearance of the brick tower, though detailed historical sources on the exact origin of the name are scarce.

Has the building stood in its original form since 1843? No — the original wooden structure from Heist-op-den-Berg burned down in 1914 during the First World War. What stands in Aarschot today is the 1920 brick reconstruction.

Can visitors go inside the mill? The building is a protected heritage site as of 1994, but access to the interior depends on its current use, so it's worth checking locally before planning a visit.