Ter Rijst, Herzele

Ter Rijst is a stone windmill standing in Herzele, a municipality in the East Flanders province of Belgium. It is one of three windmills in Herzele that have kept their mechanism in working order and can still turn their sails, even though the mill no longer operates as a daily grain-grinding business. It sits on raised ground near the road leading toward the site of the former Sint-Antelinks parish church, a position that has given it good exposure to wind sweeping in from the surrounding farmland for centuries.

How old is the mill and where does its story begin?

The earliest written record of a wooden grain windmill on this spot dates back to 1427, though local historical research suggests a mill may have stood here as far back as the 13th century — the land belonged to the Premonstratensian abbey of Ninove, which took possession of it in 1177. Maps from 1745–1748 and around 1775 show a wooden post mill on the site, referred to as Molen van Sint-Antelinckx, named after the nearby church of Sint-Antelinks.

What happened to the mill during the French period?

At the end of the 18th century, during French rule over what is now Flanders, church and monastic properties were widely seized and auctioned off to private buyers. The wooden mill near the Sint-Antelinks church was no exception. In 1797, the still-unfinished structure was purchased by Armand De Graeve, a miller's son from Haaltert, who completed the building and brought it into regular operation.

Who owned the mill in the following century?

Ownership passed to the Buyse family in 1839, and they kept the mill until 1975 — a stretch of more than 130 years. It was during this long period of continuous family ownership that the mill became firmly established as part of the agricultural landscape around Herzele, serving the surrounding farms for generations.

What does the mill look like today, and how big is it?

The structure stands 14 metres tall, with sails spanning a combined 24 metres — solid proportions for a rural grain mill of this type. Between 2007 and 2009, the municipality of Herzele commissioned a thorough restoration carried out by the milling specialist Molenbouw Thomaes nv, based in Beveren-Roeselare. That project restored the mechanism and sails to working condition, meaning the mill can still turn today and demonstrate traditional wind-powered milling technology to visitors.

Why is Ter Rijst worth a visit?

Beyond its technical and architectural interest, Ter Rijst functions as a landmark in the Herzele landscape, visible from a distance atop its rise and surrounded by farmland typical of this part of East Flanders. For anyone interested in the history of milling or in rural industrial heritage, it offers a chance to see a structure whose roots reach back to the medieval period and which has survived the French Revolution's property seizures, several changes of ownership, and a careful modern restoration.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ter Rijst still a working mill? Its mechanism was restored between 2007 and 2009 and the sails can still turn, though today it functions mainly as a heritage site rather than an active grain-producing business.

How long has a mill stood on this site? The first written mention dates to 1427, but the location may have held a mill as early as the 13th century.

Who completed the mill's construction after the French Revolution period? Armand De Graeve, son of a miller from Haaltert, bought the unfinished structure in 1797 and completed it.