Kleine Molen

Kleine Molen is a historic watermill on the river Dommel, located in Overpelt, part of the municipality of Pelt in the Belgian province of Limburg. Standing on Klein Molenstraat in the small hamlet of Hoksent, the mill served for centuries as a grain mill and, for a time, also as a fulling mill used to process woollen cloth.

Where does the mill's history begin?

The story of Kleine Molen goes back to the Middle Ages. The mill is first mentioned in written records in 1218, when the abbot of the abbey of Sint-Truiden granted permission to the lord of Eksel to build a mill on the site. It was established as a so-called banmolen, or manorial mill — a facility that local residents were obliged, under feudal privilege, to use for grinding their grain.

How did ownership of the mill change over time?

In 1259, Count Arnold IV of Loon sold the mill — together with the neighbouring Wedelse Molen and Bemvoortse Molen — to the Abbey of Floreffe. For several centuries afterward the mill remained in ecclesiastical hands, which was typical for many industrial sites of the era, when abbeys controlled water and milling rights across the region.

Did the mill ever serve purposes beyond grinding grain?

Yes. Before 1527, the mill was expanded to include a fulling function, meaning it housed equipment for felting and finishing woollen fabric using water power. This additional use did not last long, however — the fulling mill disappeared around 1550. From that point on, Kleine Molen operated solely as a grain mill, grinding grain for local farmers and residents.

What happened to the mill during the French period?

With the arrival of French rule, monastic properties in what is now Belgium were confiscated by the state. This included Kleine Molen, which — as a former possession of the Abbey of Floreffe — passed under French administrative control before being sold into private hands.

Who bought the mill in the 19th century?

In 1844, the mill was purchased by Jan Valentijns, who served as mayor of Overpelt and was a large local landowner. The transfer of the mill to a prominent local figure reflected a broader pattern of the time, in which infrastructure once belonging to religious institutions passed into the hands of secular economic and administrative elites.

How long did the mill remain in operation, and what is it used for today?

Kleine Molen continued operating well into the 20th century. In 1949, it underwent a thorough restoration that allowed it to keep working. Grain was ground here until 1978, marking the end of its centuries-long history as a working industrial site.

Today, the former mill building has not been left empty. It has been converted into an exhibition space and now functions as an art gallery under the name Daelhoxent. Thanks to this adaptive reuse, the historic structure on the Dommel continues to serve the community, albeit in a very different role from its original purpose.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Kleine Molen located? The mill stands on the river Dommel in the municipality of Pelt, in Overpelt, on Klein Molenstraat in the hamlet of Hoksent, in the Belgian province of Limburg.

How old is this mill? The first written record of the mill dates back to 1218, giving it a documented history of more than 800 years.

Is the mill still used for grinding grain? No. Milling ended in 1978, and the building was later converted into an art gallery operating under the name Daelhoxent.

What is the difference between a grain mill and a fulling mill? A grain mill is used to grind grain into flour, while a fulling mill uses water power to felt and thicken woollen cloth. Kleine Molen served both functions at different points in its history, though the fulling operation disappeared as early as the mid-16th century.