Stenen Molen

Stenen Molen is a historic windmill in Brecht, in the Belgian province of Antwerp, also known locally as Bounke-Bounke. It stands along Molenstraat and remains one of the visible markers of the region's industrial heritage.

When was the Stenen Molen built?

The mill was erected in 1842 by miller Joannes Spruyt-Anthonissen. It has been listed as a protected monument since 24 May 1977, reflecting its recognized value for the region's milling history.

What makes this mill technically unusual?

The Stenen Molen is a so-called kettingkruier — a mill whose cap is turned using a chain-driven mechanism located beneath the roof, rather than more common turning methods. This makes it the only surviving mill of its kind in the province of Antwerp, and one of only three left standing in all of Flanders. Inside, the mill held two sets of millstones plus a separate stone used specifically for grinding bark.

What was the mill originally used for?

The mill was originally built to grind oak bark, which was used in leather tanning. As demand for tanning bark declined and eventually disappeared altogether, the millstones were repurposed to grind linseed cake, used as animal feed. The fifth and last miller to operate the site, Louis Van Aken, shut the mill down in 1953.

What events shaped the mill's history?

During the Second World War, the structure suffered heavy damage from shelling. The municipality funded repairs in 1948, but the mill still ceased operating a few years later. A far more devastating blow came on the early morning of 15 June 2010, when the mill was completely destroyed by a fire deliberately set by unknown perpetrators, leaving the site out of use for over a decade.

What does the mill look like today?

Restoration work began in 2023, funded in part by the Flemish government and the municipality of Brecht. The rebuilding effort reconstructed the mill's structure and internal mechanisms in line with its historical appearance. During Heritage Day 2026, the restored Stenen Molen was officially put back into operation and reopened to visitors.

Where exactly is the Stenen Molen located?

The mill stands in Brecht, in Belgium's Antwerp province, at coordinates 51.346944 N, 4.636389 E — an easily accessible spot for visitors exploring the area around Brecht and interested in its industrial heritage.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors see the Stenen Molen today? Following its restoration and reactivation in 2026, the mill is once again accessible to visitors as part of the local heritage circuit.

Why is it called a "kettingkruier"? This technical term refers to the chain-driven mechanism used to turn the mill's cap, located under the roof — a rare design now preserved in only three mills across Flanders.

What happened to the mill in 2010? It was completely destroyed by an arson fire started by unknown perpetrators in the early hours of 15 June 2010.

What did the mill originally grind? Oak bark for the leather tanning industry, and later linseed cake used as livestock feed.