Kaasstrooimolen

Kaasstrooimolen is a historic post mill (staakmolen) with an enclosed base, standing in Bruggeneinde, on the border between the municipalities of Heist-op-den-Berg and Hulshout, in the Belgian province of Antwerp. For centuries the mill has been used to grind grain, and it retains that original function to this day.

How old is this mill's history?

Records of a mill at this site go back to 1418, when an earlier structure stood here before being replaced by a new mill built in 1611 by master builder Jan from 's Hertogenbosch. Over the centuries ownership passed through several hands: the Lord of Wezemael held it in 1468, knight Pot in 1474, and the then Lord of Heist in 1587. This long chain of owners reflects how central milling rights were to the local feudal economy — control over grinding grain translated directly into influence over the surrounding community's daily life.

Who was the last miller here?

The mill operated continuously until the early 1960s. Its last miller was Constant Van Bael, who ceased milling activity around 1960. The closure mirrored a broader pattern across Western Europe, where traditional windmills gradually fell silent as industrial milling and electrification took over grain processing.

Why is the mill protected today?

Kaasstrooimolen has been a legally protected monument since 1955. That protected status helped preserve the structure at a time when many comparable windmills in the region were being dismantled or left to decay. Following restoration work, the mill regained full working order and can once again grind grain — it is now described as the last still-operating post mill in the Mechelen district, making it a rare living example of the region's industrial heritage.

What is there to see on site?

The mill's post-mill design with an enclosed base is a distinctive type of windmill in which the entire body rotates around a central post, allowing the sails to be turned to face the wind. This construction was typical of the low-lying terrain of Flanders and neighboring provinces, where a wooden frame made it practical to rotate the whole mill body rather than just the cap. The surrounding area of Bruggeneinde, straddling two municipalities, has kept its rural character, which only reinforces the site's historic atmosphere.

How do you get to Kaasstrooimolen?

The mill sits in the countryside between Heist-op-den-Berg and Hulshout, in Antwerp province. It's best visited as part of a longer trip through the Kempen region's windmill trail, combined with a cycling route through the surrounding villages.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kaasstrooimolen still grind grain? Yes — following restoration, the mill regained its milling capability and now functions as the last still-operating post mill in the Mechelen district.

Since when has the mill been legally protected? It has held protected monument status since 1955.

Who built the current mill structure? The 1611 mill was built by master builder Jan from 's Hertogenbosch, replacing an earlier structure known since 1418.

Who was the last active miller? Constant Van Bael, who stopped milling around 1960.