Rysselendemolen, Ardooie

Rysselendemolen is a historic brick windmill standing on the outskirts of Ardooie, in the West Flanders province of Belgium. With a history spanning more than two and a half centuries, it belongs to the small group of operational windmills still preserved in this part of the country.

How did this mill come into being?

The story begins in 1767, when Frans David erected a wooden post mill on this spot. He had obtained a license to run an oil mill a year earlier, in December 1766. During its early decades the structure mainly served for pressing oil from seeds, though over time it also took on grain-milling duties.

Why was the wooden structure replaced with a brick one?

In the mid-19th century, in 1855, the heirs of the owners decided on a major rebuild. The wooden post mill was replaced with a brick tower mill of the bergmolen type — a sturdier construction better suited to sustained heavy use. That architectural shift shaped the building's present-day silhouette: a solid brick tower topped by a rotating cap fitted with sails.

How did ownership and purpose change over time?

Across the following decades the mill changed hands several times. A particularly active period of operation began after 1926, when output rose considerably. The last millers to run the business were the Van Brabant and Monteyne families, under whose management the mill kept working until 1969, when regular milling finally came to an end.

When did the mill receive heritage protection?

After years of standstill, authorities recognized its historical and architectural value. On 16 July 1993, the Rysselendemolen was listed as a legally protected monument. That status opened the way to securing funding for its rescue and restoration.

What did the restoration involve?

Conservation work got properly underway from 1996 and covered a comprehensive rebuild of the milling mechanism, the cap structure, and the sails. The restoration process stretched over many years, culminating in 2014, when the mill regained full technical working order. Since then, the Rysselendemolen has once again been capable of grinding grain — not as a static exhibit, but as a functioning piece of industrial heritage.

What can visitors see on site today?

Today the mill is one of Ardooie's landmark features, drawing visitors interested in industrial heritage and rural Flemish architecture. Its silhouette, with the characteristic wooden cap and sails visible from a distance, stands out clearly against the surrounding fields.

Frequently asked questions

Is the mill still operational? Yes, following the restoration completed in 2014, the Rysselendemolen is once again capable of grinding grain.

When was the first mill built on this site? In 1767, as a wooden post mill erected by Frans David.

Why was the mill's construction changed? In 1855 the heirs replaced the wooden post mill with a sturdier brick tower mill.

Since when has the mill been protected as a monument? Since 16 July 1993, when it was formally granted legal heritage protection.