Mortiersmolen, Zwevegem

Mortiersmolen is a wooden post mill (staakmolen) standing in Zwevegem, a municipality in the West Flanders province of Belgium. It belongs to a small group of three-story West Flemish windmills — a rarer configuration than the more common two-story post mills, which makes it a notable example of regional milling craftsmanship. Historians place its construction at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, though the exact year is not established with full certainty.

Where does the name come from?

Unlike what one might assume, the name Mortiersmolen does not refer to the mill's builder but to the Dumortier family, who operated it for seven decades, from 1888 to 1958. It was this long stretch of continuous family operation that left such a strong imprint on local memory that the family name permanently attached itself to the building, replacing earlier references tied to previous owners.

Who ran the mill before the Dumortiers?

The mill's history reaches back further than the Dumortier era. Around 1800 it was worked by a man named Maes. Before 1814, Charles Vandemaele took over operation of the mill, and the Vandemaele family remained tied to the property for decades afterward — on November 21, 1854, the mill was sold to Ivo Vandemaele. Only later, toward the end of the 19th century, did ownership pass to the Dumortier family, from whom the mill takes its present name.

How did the mill's technology evolve?

The windmill did not remain unchanged across its two centuries of existence. In the 1920s, attempts were made to harness electricity to drive the millstones by means of an electric motor — a sign that traditional windmills were increasingly having to compete with newer sources of power. In 1935, the sails were fitted with shutter-type covering that improved wind capture and reduced resistance, a modification typical of windmill upgrades from that period, aimed at keeping the mills economically viable against the rising competition of steam- and electricity-powered milling.

Why is the mill protected today?

The historical and architectural value of Mortiersmolen was formally recognized as early as World War II — on April 4, 1944, the structure was listed as a protected monument. Legal protection, however, did not shield the wooden structure from the natural wear caused by decades of exposure to wind and moisture. Between 1993 and 1994 the mill underwent a complete restoration that returned it to working order, allowing it to function again as an active mill rather than merely a monument to be viewed from the outside.

What should visitors know about the area?

Mortiersmolen stands within the municipality of Zwevegem, a region known for its milling tradition and its role in the industrial history of West Flanders. For visitors, it offers a chance to see a rare example of a three-story post mill — a construction type that was significantly less common in the region than the typical two-story windmill. Following its restoration in the 1990s, the mill remains technically operational, making it a living testament to historic milling technique rather than a static exhibit.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name Mortiersmolen come from? From the Dumortier family, who ran the mill from 1888 to 1958.

When was the mill built? Likely at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Is the mill still operational? Yes, following its 1993–1994 restoration, it remains in working order.

Is the mill legally protected? Yes, it has been listed as a protected monument since April 4, 1944.