In Stormen Sterk, Gierle

In Stormen Sterk is a stone ground-sailing windmill of the external trestle type, standing on Molenstraat in Gierle, a village belonging to the municipality of Lille in Antwerp province, Belgium. Its name, which translates roughly as "Strong in storms," points directly to the turbulent history behind the structure.

Where does the mill's name come from?

An earlier post mill stood on the same plot, built in 1499 for the Lord of Turnhout and first put into operation on Christmas Day 1500. For more than three centuries it ground grain for the surrounding community until a whirlwind toppled the structure on 29 November 1836. The following year, in 1837, miller Jan Frans De Backer erected a new mill on the same spot — this time built of stone and of the ground-sailing type, better able to withstand the elements. It was this determination to rebuild after disaster that gave the mill its name, "In Stormen Sterk."

How is the mill built?

In Stormen Sterk is an external trestle mill, a design in which the sails and upper section rotate around a central axis while the whole structure is turned into the wind using a cross winch operated from outside. Its defining feature is a wingspan of 26.5 meters, making it one of the largest windmills in the country. The stone masonry base gives it a solidity and weather resistance that set it apart from typical timber-framed post mills.

What protection status does the mill hold?

The mill was listed as a protected monument on 6 November 1981, recognizing its value as a piece of industrial heritage from the Kempen region. In 2006 it was purchased by Kempens Landschap, an organization dedicated to nature and heritage conservation in Antwerp province, after which the municipality of Lille took it on under a long-term leasehold (emphyteusis). This ownership arrangement paved the way for a thorough restoration.

When was the mill restored?

The mill underwent an extensive restoration covering both its interior and exterior. Work was completed in April 2014, when In Stormen Sterk reopened its doors to visitors and — notably — resumed operation as a working grain mill, once again able to grind grain using traditional methods.

Can visitors tour the mill?

Yes, the site is open to visitors on the last Sunday of every month. It's an opportunity to see the mill's mechanism and impressive sails up close and to learn the story of a site that survived the collapse of one structure only to be reborn as a stronger one. The mill sits on Molenstraat in Gierle, in the quiet rural surroundings typical of the Kempen region.

Frequently asked questions

Is the mill still operational? Yes, following its 2014 restoration the mill functions as a working structure capable of grinding grain.

What does the mill's name mean? "In Stormen Sterk" means "Strong in storms," referring to the fact that the previous mill on this site was destroyed by a whirlwind and the new one was built in response to that disaster.

How large are the sails? The sails have a wingspan of 26.5 meters, placing it among the largest windmills in the country.

When can it be visited? On the last Sunday of each month.

Who manages the mill? Kempens Landschap, which acquired the site in 2006, in cooperation with the municipality of Lille.