Hotondmolen, Zulzeke

Hotondmolen is a former windmill perched on top of the Hotondberg hill in the village of Zulzeke, part of the municipality of Kluisbergen in Belgium's Flemish Ardennes. Although it no longer grinds grain, its silhouette still marks the skyline of this rolling corner of East Flanders and remains a familiar landmark for hikers and cyclists exploring the area.

Where exactly does the mill stand?

The mill takes its name from the hill it crowns, the Hotondberg, which borders the Hotond-Scherpenberg nature area. This elevated spot has long attracted millwrights, since the wind sweeping across the hills of the Flemish Ardennes is noticeably stronger here than in the surrounding valleys — exactly the condition a windmill needs to operate efficiently.

How far back does its history go?

The earliest documented mention of a mill on the Hotondberg dates to 1672, when it was most likely a wooden post mill (a "staakmolen"), a structure whose entire body pivoted around a central post to face the wind. In the early 19th century, this wooden mill was replaced by a stone "grondzeiler" — a fixed tower mill whose sails reached almost down to ground level.

Surviving records also trace several changes of ownership. In 1697, a man named Pieter Mortroye sold "den hoothontmolen," together with its adjoining land, to Amant Declerck of Zulzeke. By 1729 the mill had passed into far more prominent hands: it belonged to His Highness the Prince of Nassau-Siegen, Baron of Ronse, which suggests the mill was a valuable economic asset tied to a larger noble estate rather than a purely local operation.

What happened during the 1910 fire?

One of the most dramatic episodes in the mill's history occurred on 26 April 1910, when lightning struck the building. The miller, Cyriel Vanderhaeghen, was working inside at the time. As the staircase leading up through the mill caught fire, he could no longer climb down the normal way — he escaped by sliding down a rope. The episode is still recalled locally as a reminder of how dangerous milling could be in an era when windmills were built almost entirely of timber.

The mill was rebuilt and repaired more than once over the centuries, with major restoration work recorded in 1845 and again in 1911, shortly after the fire.

Is the mill still operational today?

No. Only the mill's main body, the so-called "molenkuip," has survived, stripped of its original milling machinery and sails. Today it serves as a lookout tower attached to the Hotond sports hotel and grill business that now occupies the site. Visitors can climb up to take in sweeping views over the Flemish Ardennes — a landscape of rolling fields, patches of forest, and neighbouring hills such as the Kluisberg and Kwaremont, both well known to road cycling fans from the region's classic one-day races.

Why is it worth a visit?

Hotondmolen combines two things that draw travellers to this region: a documented industrial history stretching back more than three centuries, and a genuine scenic vantage point on one of the Flemish Ardennes' signature hills. It makes for a natural stop when exploring the Kluisbergen and Ronse area on foot or by bike, particularly along longer routes through this hilly stretch of East Flanders.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hotondmolen still grind grain? No, the mill has not been in production use for a long time — only the main body of the structure remains.

What happened to the mill in 1910? Lightning caused a fire, and the miller working inside had to escape down a rope after the staircase caught fire.

Who owned the mill historically? Documented owners include Amant Declerck (from 1697) and the Prince of Nassau-Siegen, Baron of Ronse (from 1729).

Can visitors climb the mill today? Yes, its remaining body now functions as a viewing tower at the Hotond sports hotel and grill.