Schellemolen, Damme

Schellemolen is a white-painted stone windmill standing beside the Damme Canal (Damse Vaart), right next to the small medieval town of Damme in Belgium. Its bright, tapering silhouette against the flat Flemish landscape makes it one of the most recognizable landmarks along the canal, visible from a good distance across the open surrounding fields.

How far back does the mill's history go?

The story of a mill at this spot stretches back much further than the building you see today. Rights connected to a mill here were already being sold in 1267, by Margaret of Constantinople, then Countess of Flanders. In the exact location where Schellemolen now stands, a mill has operated continuously since 1479, even though its physical form changed considerably over the centuries that followed.

When was the current structure built?

The mill visible today dates from 1867. It replaced an earlier "standard" mill — a timber post-mill construction typical of the region in earlier centuries. The new stone building was finished in white paint, a detail that remains its most recognizable feature today, standing out sharply against its dark cap and sails, framed by the greenery and water of the canal.

What was the mill actually used for?

Schellemolen was not a simple grain mill. Inside, it housed two pairs of millstones for grinding grain, while the basement contained an oil mill — equipment for pressing oil from oilseed crops such as rapeseed or flax. Combining both functions in a single building was a practical solution for the local farming community, letting different crops be processed on site without needing separate facilities for each.

What happened to it in the 20th century?

Milling activity at Schellemolen stopped in 1963. Once regular use and maintenance ended, the structure began to deteriorate — a fate shared by many windmills across Western Europe during that period, as wind-powered milling lost ground to electric and industrial mills.

How was the mill saved?

The turning point came in 1971, when the province of West Flanders purchased the mill and undertook its restoration. The repair work brought the structure back into working order well enough that by 1977 the sails were turning again and the mill could once more grind grain. Since then, Schellemolen has functioned as a heritage monument and visitor attraction rather than a working production site in daily use.

Can visitors go inside today?

Yes — the mill is open to visitors on weekends during the season, running from April 1 to September 20. That's a useful detail to keep in mind when planning a trip to Damme, since access to the interior is limited to specific days of the week and to that part of the year, so it's worth checking exact opening times before visiting.

Frequently asked questions

Does Schellemolen still grind grain? The mill regained its technical working order after the 1970s restoration, but today it functions primarily as a heritage site and visitor attraction rather than a commercial production facility.

Where exactly is the mill located? It stands on the Damme Canal (Damse Vaart), immediately next to the town of Damme, making it an easy stop on a walk or bike ride along the canal.

Is this the only windmill near Damme? The area around Damme and its canal is known for several historic windmills, and Schellemolen is among the most recognizable thanks to its white finish and prominent waterside setting.

How continuous is the mill's history at this site? An uninterrupted mill presence at this exact spot goes back to 1479, while rights to a mill in the wider area are documented as early as 1267.