IJzerkotmolen

IJzerkotmolen is a historic water mill standing on the Zwalm river, in the village of Sint-Maria-Latem, part of the municipality of Zwalm in East Flanders, Belgium. It is one of the landmark stops along the Zwalm valley, an area known for its dense cluster of surviving water mills.

Where does the name come from and how old is the mill?

The first written records of the mill date back to 1412, making it one of the older industrial structures in the region. Its name references an early use of the site for ironworking — "ijzer" is Dutch for iron. Over the centuries the building changed function repeatedly: it served as an iron forge, a copper mill, a paper mill, an oil press, a grain mill, and even a brewery. This kind of multi-purpose history was common for water mills of the era, since the same water power could be redirected toward whichever production process was most needed at the time.

What does the mill's structure look like today?

Originally, two separate mill buildings stood facing each other on opposite banks of the river. It was only at the end of the 19th century that the two were joined by an overhead connecting structure, creating the single, unified building visible today. The mill is driven by an overshot water wheel, meaning water is fed onto the wheel from above — a design that delivers higher efficiency than simpler undershot wheels.

Is the mill still operational?

Yes, and this is what sets it apart from most other mills in the Zwalm valley: IJzerkotmolen is the only mill in the region still working in a manner close to its historical operation. The millstones are turned regularly on Sundays, run today by Emmanuel Meersschaut and Jochen Delbeke. They grind flour and grain from locally grown organic crops, stone-ground rather than processed through modern roller mills — a method widely considered gentler on the grain's nutritional qualities.

Why is it worth a visit?

IJzerkotmolen combines several layers of appeal: it is a piece of water-powered industrial heritage spanning more than six centuries, a living example of milling craft still practiced on its original site, and a place where visitors can buy genuine, locally stone-ground flour. For anyone exploring the Vlaamse Ardennen (Flemish Ardennes), it forms a natural stop linking the region's industrial past with a still-active, working mill business. The surrounding Zwalm valley also lends itself well to walking routes connecting several historic water mills in a single outing.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is IJzerkotmolen located? In the village of Sint-Maria-Latem, part of the municipality of Zwalm, on the Zwalm river in East Flanders.

Can visitors see the mill working? The mill operates and sells its products on Sundays, when the millstones are running.

How old is the mill? The earliest written records of the mill date from 1412.

What else was the mill used for besides grinding grain? Historically it also functioned as an iron forge, copper mill, paper mill, and oil press, and even served as a brewery, before settling into use as a grain mill.