Nieuwpoortmolen, Oombergen

Nieuwpoortmolen is a former windmill standing on the street of the same name in Oombergen, a district of the Belgian town of Zottegem in East Flanders. Although it stopped grinding grain decades ago, its sturdy masonry tower still shapes the skyline of this small settlement and stands as a reminder of the era when such structures powered the local agricultural economy.

How far back does its history go?

The story of this site begins in the early 15th century. As early as 1408, the land belonged to the lords of Oombergen castle, and Ida van Oyenberghe had a wooden post mill (staakmolen) built here. It is possible that an even older mill once stood on the same spot: a document from 1389 already refers to a "mill field" (meulen velt) in the area, suggesting milling activity predates the structure Ida van Oyenberghe commissioned.

Where does the name come from?

Despite what the name might suggest, it has nothing to do with the Belgian coastal town of Nieuwpoort — it comes from a noble family instead. In 1790, shortly before the region came under French rule, the mill belonged to Constantin de Preud'homme d'Hailly de Nieuport, viscount of Nieuwpoort and Oombergen, and it is his name that the mill has carried ever since. Locally, it was also known under two less common names, Puttekensmolen and Gangmolen, tied to the milling families who once operated it — the Van de Putte and De Cang families, respectively.

What happened to it in the 20th century?

On 20 May 1911, a lightning strike set the wooden mill on fire and destroyed it. It was rebuilt in stone, and this new masonry mill kept working for several more decades, remaining operational until 1949. The following year, in 1950, its technical fittings — the English winding system, the cast-iron underdrift mechanism, and the millstones — were moved to another mill, Ter Claere in Sint-Denijs, where they were put back into service.

What does it look like today?

Once milling ceased, the tower itself was not left to decay. Starting in 1983, it was converted into a residence, and since 2004 it has operated as a holiday home available for short stays. This reflects a common practice in the region: rather than demolishing a disused mill, its historic shell is given a new purpose as accommodation, while the recognisable tower shape is preserved.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nieuwpoortmolen still a working mill? No. Milling activity ended in 1949, and the mill's machinery was relocated to another site the following year.

Can visitors stay overnight there? Yes — since 2004, the former mill tower has functioned as a holiday home.

Where exactly is it located? In Oombergen, a district of the town of Zottegem, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium.

Where does the mill's name come from? From Constantin de Preud'homme d'Hailly de Nieuport, its owner in the late 18th century and viscount of Nieuwpoort and Oombergen.