Fauconniersmolen

Fauconniersmolen is a historic windmill of the "bovenkruier" type, standing in Oordegem — a village within the municipality of Lede in East Flanders, Belgium. Its stone base carries a wooden cap that could be rotated to face the wind, letting the mill keep working no matter which direction the wind was blowing from.

Where does the mill's name come from?

The story behind the mill starts with a dispute. Baron Maelcamp de Landeghem operated a watermill in the area, which was leased by a man named Petrus Fauconnier. Friction between the tenant and the landowner pushed Fauconnier to plan a windmill of his own, independent of the baron's property. Petrus died in 1831, though, before the mill could be built. It was his widow, Maria Amalia de Boever, who carried the project through, having the mill erected in 1845. The windmill still carries her late husband's name, even though it was she who actually built it.

What was the mill used for?

From the start, Fauconniersmolen served a double purpose — it worked both as a grain mill and as an oil mill. That versatility was a real economic advantage at the time: it allowed grain to be ground into flour and oilseeds to be pressed for oil at a single site, without needing two separate installations.

What does the mill's structure look like?

Fauconniersmolen is a "korenwindmolen" of the bovenkruier type — a masonry stone tower topped by a movable wooden cap that houses the sail mechanism. The upper section could be turned, by hand or with dedicated gearing, so the sails always faced squarely into the wind regardless of its direction. This design was common across Flanders and let mills like this one keep operating efficiently even as the weather changed.

What is its history as a protected monument?

The mill's heritage value was formally recognized in 1948, when it was granted protected monument status. A few years later, in 1953, ownership passed to Les amis de la Commission Royale de Monuments et des Sites, a heritage preservation organization. Through that foundation, the mill was transferred in 1973 to the province of East Flanders, which still owns and manages it today.

What happened in 1976?

Shortly before a planned restoration was due to start, the mill burned down in a fire suspected to have been arson. Rebuilding and fully restoring the structure took eight years, with the work only completed in 1984, returning the mill to its historic appearance and working order.

What is the mill's condition today?

In August 2026, Fauconniersmolen turned its sails one last time before a new round of restoration began. The work was prompted by moisture problems that had caused moss to grow inside the mill. The province of East Flanders has committed to refreshing the structure, describing it as a remarkable heritage gem of Oordegem.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Fauconniersmolen located? In Oordegem, a village that is part of the municipality of Lede, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium.

Who built the mill? Formally, the mill was built on the initiative of Petrus Fauconnier's widow, Maria Amalia de Boever, in 1845 — though the idea originated earlier, out of Fauconnier's dispute with Baron Maelcamp de Landeghem.

Is the mill still operational? It is a protected monument currently undergoing restoration — in August 2026 it turned its sails for the last time before repair work began to address moisture damage.

Can visitors see it? The mill is known locally as a heritage landmark of Oordegem and is sometimes opened to the public around events held by the municipality of Lede, though access may be limited while restoration is underway.