Faber Mill

Faber Mill is a historic watermill in Hotton, Belgium, built in 1729. The building is a listed monument, constructed from limestone with a pegged slate roof, and today it operates as a museum where visitors can trace the traditional process of grinding grain into flour.

What does the mill look like inside?

The building is arranged over four levels, each dedicated to a different stage of the milling process. The lowest level houses three separate milling mechanisms, while the level above holds the pairs of millstones responsible for grinding the grain. Another level is used for bolting — the sifting process that separates flour from bran — and the topmost level is an attic. This vertical layout allowed grain to move through the building in a logical sequence, from raw kernels at the top to finished flour collected on the lower floors.

How was the mill powered?

Outside the building, two waterwheels are mounted over a tributary of the river Ourthe and drive the mill's internal machinery. One wheel is made of wood, the other of metal — a detail that reflects how the mill was updated and maintained over the centuries while staying in its original location and form. Water flowing through the Ourthe tributary turned the wheels, which in turn powered the millstones and the other mechanisms inside.

Is the mill still working today?

Yes — despite functioning as a museum, Faber Mill is still operational and produces different qualities of flour. This means visitors can see not only the historic architecture but also a working demonstration of the milling process, from the waterwheels through the millstones to the bolting stage. It is a rare chance to observe the full cycle of flour production in a building that has served the same purpose for nearly three centuries.

Where exactly is Faber Mill located?

The mill stands in Hotton, in the province of Luxembourg, Belgium, beside a tributary of the river Ourthe. Its approximate coordinates are 50.2676, 5.4516.

Frequently asked questions

What materials was the mill built from? The walls are built from limestone, and the roof is covered with pegged slate.

How many levels does the mill building have? Four: one level with three milling mechanisms, one with pairs of millstones, one for bolting, and an attic.

How many waterwheels power the mill, and what are they made of? The mill has two waterwheels positioned over a tributary of the river Ourthe — one made of wood, the other of metal.

Does the mill still produce flour? Yes, even as a museum, its machinery still runs and produces different qualities of flour for visitors to see.

Is Faber Mill a protected heritage building? Yes, it is a listed building.