Hoogmolen

Hoogmolen is a historic watermill standing on the Abeek river in the village of Ellikom, part of the present-day municipality of Oudsbergen in the Belgian province of Limburg. It is also known as the Peerdermolen, a name already recorded in the church tithe registers of Ellikom from 1639 and 1650. Although the earliest written mention of the mill dates from 1500, the structure likely existed even earlier, since the Abeek valley had long attracted mill builders thanks to the river's considerable natural drop as it flows from the Kempen Plateau down toward the Bocholt Plain.

Who owned the mill and what did it produce?

Hoogmolen once belonged to the Lord of Peer, which explains its alternative name Peerdermolen. The mill served a dual purpose: it operated as a fulling mill for processing woollen cloth and as a grain mill for the surrounding population. In the fulling process, wooden stamping hammers driven by the mill's mechanism pounded and thickened woven wool, giving it the density and durability needed for finished cloth. At the same time, the mill ground grain, making it one of the economic pillars of rural life in the area for centuries.

How many mills once stood in Ellikom?

Hoogmolen was not the only mill in the area. Three watermills originally operated along the Abeek in Ellikom: Hoogmolen, Neermolen, and Slagmolen. Having three separate mills in a single village shows just how intensively the water power of this modest river was exploited in earlier centuries.

How has the mill's structure changed over time?

The buildings visible today largely date from 1828, making them the oldest surviving part of the complex. They originally had a timber-framed construction, typical of regional building methods of that era. From the second half of the 19th century onward, the structure was gradually converted to brick, with the last major rebuilding taking place in 1904. This process of incremental modernization gave the mill its current layered appearance, blending elements from different periods into a single structure.

Is the mill protected as a heritage site?

Yes. In 1995, Hoogmolen was listed as a protected monument, and the surrounding landscape was designated a protected village view. As part of this protection, the mill was restored both inside and out, preserving its historic character. The entire site lies within the protected landscape area of the Abeek valley (Abeekvallei), valued for both its natural and historical significance.

What is Hoogmolen used for today?

In the early 2020s, the historic mill complex underwent a major renovation and conversion into a large-scale recreational and business venue now operating as Landgoed De Hoogmolen. The complex was acquired by entrepreneurs Mark Lens and Petra Weyens, who transformed the former mill into a site combining hotel accommodation with event hosting. Located at Hoogmolenweg 15, the mill remains one of the distinctive landmarks of Ellikom today.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hoogmolen still grind grain? No, the mill no longer serves its original industrial function and has been converted into a hotel and event venue.

Where does the name Peerdermolen come from? The name derives from the Lord of Peer, to whom the mill once belonged, and it already appears in church registers from the 17th century.

Can visitors tour the mill? The building now operates as a hotel and event location, so access is tied to its tourism offering rather than to museum-style visits.

Why were so many mills built in Ellikom? Thanks to the considerable drop of the Abeek river as it descends from the higher Kempen Plateau, water power was unusually easy to harness here, attracting mill builders as far back as the Middle Ages.