Markeymolen

Markeymolen is a historic closed-base post mill standing beside the Lobrug bridge over the Lovaart canal in Pollinkhove, a village in the municipality of Lo-Reninge in West Flanders, Belgium. For more than two centuries this timber landmark has shaped the skyline of the small village, and it remains one of the last surviving witnesses to the era when windmills powered the region's agricultural economy.

Who built the mill, and when?

The mill was raised in 1797 by millwright Jan Frans Verhaeghe. His name and the construction date were carved directly into the mechanism: the segments of the brake wheel bear the inscription "IAN FRANS VERHAEGHE ANNO," while the corner braces are marked "1797." This kind of signature was common practice among millwrights of the period, and it lets historians date the structure precisely without having to rely on archival records alone.

Where does the name Markeymolen come from?

The mill owes its present-day name to its last professional miller, Joseph Markey (born 1887 in Nieuwkapelle, died 1975 in Hoogstade). Markey married Emma Vermote in Pollinkhove in 1913, and from 1919 he ran the mill until he retired the business in 1962. The mill's central axis still carries the inscription "JOS. MARKEY/ 1919," marking the point at which he took it over — and it was from that year onward that the structure came to be widely known as the Markeymolen, replacing whatever name it carried before.

What was the mill used for?

Markeymolen originally served a double purpose: grinding grain and, alongside that, pressing oil from oilseeds such as rapeseed or flax as an oil mill. Over time the oil-pressing side of the operation faded, and the mill continued to work purely as a grain mill until Joseph Markey stepped away from milling in 1962, bringing to a close more than a century and a half of uninterrupted operation.

What protected status does it hold today?

Given its historical and architectural value, Markeymolen was listed as a protected monument in 1949. In 1980 ownership passed to the province of West Flanders, which funded a thorough restoration that returned the mill to working order — by 2003 its sails were turning again. Today the windmill is registered as a protected item of built heritage in the region's immovable heritage inventory.

Can visitors go inside today?

Markeymolen is currently closed to visitors, and there is no regular public access to the interior of the structure. Under Lo-Reninge's multi-year municipal plan for 2026–2031, however, the mill is slated for another thorough restoration intended to improve its technical condition and, eventually, open it up more widely to residents and visitors exploring the region.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does Markeymolen stand? Beside the Lobrug bridge over the Lovaart canal in Pollinkhove, within the municipality of Lo-Reninge, West Flanders.

How long was it in active use as a working mill? From its construction in 1797 until 1962, when its last miller, Joseph Markey, ended operations — 165 years in total.

Is the interior open to visitors right now? No, the mill is currently closed; the municipality's 2026–2031 plan includes a further restoration project.

Where does the mill's name come from? From its last miller, Joseph Markey, who ran the mill from 1919 to 1962.