Heimolen (Keerbergen)

Heimolen is a wooden post mill (standard mill) standing in Keerbergen, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. It is the oldest and only surviving mill of at least three post mills that once operated within the municipality, and its story stretches back far beyond the timber structure visitors see today.

How far back does the history of a windmill in Keerbergen go?

Written records of a windmill in Keerbergen date back to 1330, when Duke John III of Brabant sold a mill to his cousin Louis of Berlaer, lord of Helmond. Archival documents from the following centuries confirm that the mill remained in the hands of the lords and ladies holding the lordship of Keerbergen from at least the first quarter of the 15th century onward. That means wind-powered milling was practised on this land almost continuously for hundreds of years, even though the physical structure itself changed more than once over that time.

Has the current mill always stood on the same spot?

No. A beam in the present structure carries the carved year 1706, marking when the post mill that still exists today was built. It originally stood elsewhere, though — in the middle of a large heathland called the Grote Heide, closer to the neighbouring village of Tremelo. That location turned out to be a poor choice: the wind there was too weak, and the site was inconvenient for villagers bringing grain from the centre of Keerbergen. In 1722 the whole timber structure was therefore moved to the Molenberg hill, at what is now Molenstraat 35, where the Heimolen still stands. Relocating an entire wooden post mill was feasible precisely because of its construction around a single central post, unlike the brick tower mills common elsewhere in the Low Countries.

What does the Heimolen's construction look like?

The Heimolen is a textbook example of a wooden post mill with an open trestle base, a design typical of the lower-lying regions of Flanders and Brabant. The whole upper body of the mill, together with its sails, rotates around a central vertical post, which allowed the miller to turn the sails to face the wind directly — essential for efficient grain milling in the centuries before electricity. This open, exposed trestle at the base is what visually sets a post mill apart from enclosed smock mills or masonry tower mills.

What is the state of the mill today?

Between 2017 and 2019, the Heimolen underwent a full restoration that returned it to its former appearance and working condition. Today the mill stands as one of the recognisable pieces of local heritage in Keerbergen, drawing visitors interested in the history of wind-powered industry as they explore the green surroundings of the municipality.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Heimolen in Keerbergen? The current timber structure dates from 1706, but documented windmill history on this site goes back to at least 1330.

Why did the mill change location? Its original site on the Grote Heide heath had too little wind and poor access, so in 1722 the mill was relocated to the Molenberg hill.

Can the mill be visited? Following its 2017–2019 restoration, the Heimolen can be viewed as a technical heritage landmark along walking routes in Keerbergen.

What type of windmill is it? It is a wooden post mill (standard mill) with an open base, in which the entire body rotates around a central post to face the wind.