Oosterlomolen

Oosterlomolen is a historic watermill located in the village of Oosterlo, part of the municipality of Geel in Belgium's Antwerp province. Built on a small watercourse that once powered its wheel, the mill no longer grinds grain today, but it remains one of the most interesting remnants of traditional milling craft in the Kempen region.

Where does the mill's name come from?

The name Oosterlomolen comes directly from Oosterlo, the village where the mill stands. Historical records also refer to it as Molen van Oosterlo or Molen van Lavrijsen, the latter name likely tied to a family that leased or operated the mill during one period of its history.

How old is this mill?

The earliest written mention of the mill dates back to 1428, though local historians believe the structure itself may go back as far as the 13th century, long before any surviving documents describe it. For centuries the mill operated as a "ban mill," a compulsory mill under feudal law: subjects living under the lords of Geel were required to have their grain ground here rather than at any mill of their own choosing. This arrangement guaranteed the mill owner a steady stream of customers and made the site an important cog in the local feudal economy.

What role did the mill play in the life of nearby residents?

Oosterlomolen was more than a place for grinding grain. Toward the end of the 15th century, the tenant running the mill was obliged to deliver enormous quantities of eels — reportedly several thousand a year — to Jan II van Merode, the lord of Geel. This shows how important fishing was alongside the milling business itself. Beneath the mill, a unique system of stone eel tanks has survived, connected underground to flowing water so that captured eels could be kept alive until sale or delivery.

What happened to the mill over the centuries?

The building's history includes some dramatic turns. In 1789, the original mill house burned down, and shortly afterward it was rebuilt in sturdier stone construction, a structure that largely survives to this day. In 1916, the mill was fitted with additional mechanical equipment that allowed it to also function as a sawmill alongside its traditional grain-milling work.

When did the mill stop operating?

The fate of Oosterlomolen changed in the 1960s. In 1962, the site, along with its milling and fishing rights and the associated lock, was purchased by the municipality of Geel. A year later, in 1963, the side stream known as the Molenlaak was covered over, which brought an end to the mill's function as an active water-powered facility. From that point on, Oosterlomolen retained only its historical and architectural value.

Why is it worth a visit?

Oosterlomolen is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in the history of rural craft and the traditional economy of the Kempen region. The combination of grain milling, sawmilling, and eel farming and storage makes it an unusual site compared with other mills in the area. Its surviving stone eel tanks are a rarity and a testament to how resourcefully local residents once made use of natural water resources.

Frequently asked questions

Is the mill still operating? No, the mill stopped functioning after the watercourse feeding it was covered over in 1963.

Who owns the mill today? The municipality of Geel has owned the site since 1962.

What makes this place especially unique? Its preserved system of stone tanks for keeping live eels, fed by an underground channel of flowing water.

Where does the alternative name "Lavrijsen" come from? It most likely refers to a family associated with leasing or running the mill during one period of its history.