Roomanmolen, Sint-Pauwels

Roomanmolen is a brick windmill standing in Sint-Pauwels, part of the municipality of Sint-Gillis-Waas in the East Flanders province of Belgium. It holds the title of the tallest brick windmill in Flanders, reaching a total height of 24 meters with a base diameter of 12 meters. The mill is built as a bovenkruier (a stellingmolen, or gallery-type smock mill with a rotating cap), and features a wooden gallery set at a height of 11 meters, from which the miller could once operate the sails and internal machinery.

Who built the mill and when?

The mill's story begins in the mid-19th century. On 26 August 1846, the Permanent Deputation of the East Flanders province granted permission to Pieter Paul Persoon-Rollier, a merchant from Sint-Pauwels, to construct a stone grain and oil windmill. Construction itself took place the following year, in 1847, using bricks fired from clay dug directly on site — the builder was also a roof-tile manufacturer who exploited the local clay deposits for his own business. The name Roomanmolen comes from the Rooman family of millers, who took ownership of the mill in 1895 and operated it for a long stretch of its working life. Before that, the mill was known under the name Gelaagmolen.

What was the mill used for?

From early on, Roomanmolen served several purposes at once. It was used to grind grain into flour, but also functioned as an oil mill and for malting. This kind of multi-purpose setup was typical of the larger stone mills built during this period by well-off investors who wanted to diversify their income across several milling activities rather than relying on a single product.

Why is it the only surviving mill in the area?

Sint-Pauwels was once home to as many as five windmills. Of those, only Roomanmolen has survived to the present day, making it a rare physical remnant of the area's pre-industrial rural milling economy and an important marker of the region's historical landscape.

How did the mill come under public ownership?

In the early 2000s, the mill's future as private property became uncertain. Between 2002 and 2003, the owner at the time was forced to give up the mill, reportedly with great reluctance. The matter reached the mayor, who raised the alarm with the provincial authorities about the risk of losing the landmark. In response, the province of East Flanders purchased the mill in 2003, taking on responsibility for its preservation. Since then, day-to-day management has been handled by the municipality of Sint-Gillis-Waas, to which Sint-Pauwels administratively belongs.

Can the mill be visited today?

As a protected heritage site maintained by local authorities, Roomanmolen remains a recognized landmark of the Waasland region's cultural heritage. Its tall, distinctive silhouette stands out against the flat Flemish countryside, and for decades it has served as a visual reference point for both residents and visitors passing through the area around Sint-Gillis-Waas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Roomanmolen? The mill stands 24 meters tall, making it the tallest brick windmill in Flanders.

When was it built? Permission for construction was granted in 1846, and the mill itself was built in 1847.

Where does the mill's name come from? From the Rooman family of millers, who owned the mill from 1895 onward.

Who manages the mill today? Since the province of East Flanders bought it in 2003, management has been in the hands of the municipality of Sint-Gillis-Waas.

Is it the only windmill left in Sint-Pauwels? Yes — of the five windmills that once stood in the village, only Roomanmolen remains standing.