Tarandusmolen

Tarandusmolen is a stone windmill standing along Provinciebaan in Dikkelvenne, a village that forms part of the municipality of Gavere in East Flanders, Belgium. It ranks among the oldest surviving stone "grondzeiler" windmills in Flanders — a type whose sails are mounted low, close to the ground — which alone makes it a significant witness to the region's milling history.

Where does the site's history begin?

The story of a windmill on this spot reaches back to the 17th century. The powerful lords of Gavere, who also held authority over Dikkelvenne, commissioned a wooden grain mill on a rise known as the Varenkouter, operating under the name molen ter Varent. Its existence is confirmed by surviving accounts from the lordship of Gavere, still preserved today in the General State Archives in Brussels.

That original wooden structure did not survive to the present day in its first form. In 1771 it was replaced by the masonry building that stands on the site now. This replacement of timber with stone is precisely what places the Tarandusmolen among the oldest stone grondzeiler windmills in Flanders — a design well suited to the flat, wind-exposed landscape typical of the region.

What was the mill used for?

For much of its working life, the Tarandusmolen served a dual purpose: it functioned simultaneously as an oil mill and a grain mill, allowing local farmers to process both cereal grain into flour and oil-bearing seeds. Over time, oil production declined in importance and the mill continued solely as a grain mill. It kept operating in that capacity until the 1950s, when regular milling activity finally came to an end.

How did the mill survive difficult periods?

The Tarandusmolen's history was not without hardship. During the First World War, the building suffered serious damage, as the armed conflict did not spare the structure despite its purely civilian, agricultural purpose. Reconstruction and a thorough restoration only followed in 1933, which allowed the windmill to keep working for several more decades afterward.

What protection status does the mill hold today?

In recognition of its historical and architectural value, Belgian authorities granted the Tarandusmolen protected monument status in 1983, intended to safeguard this unique structure for future generations. Maintenance works were carried out in 2011 to keep the mill in sound technical condition. Reports from 2025 indicate that a more comprehensive restoration of the building is now being planned.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Tarandusmolen located? The windmill stands at Provinciebaan 22 in Dikkelvenne, a village within the municipality of Gavere in the province of East Flanders, Belgium.

Is the Tarandusmolen still operational? The mill stopped regular industrial milling in the 1950s. As a protected heritage site since 1983, it undergoes periodic conservation work, with a further restoration announced for 2025.

Why is this windmill considered special? The Tarandusmolen is one of the oldest surviving stone grondzeiler windmills in Flanders — its current masonry structure dates from 1771 and replaced an earlier wooden mill first recorded in the 17th century.

What was the windmill historically used for? It originally combined the functions of an oil mill and a grain mill, later operating solely as a grain mill until milling activity ceased in the mid-20th century.