Tissenhovemolen

Tissenhovemolen is a wooden stake mill (post mill) in Mater, a district of Oudenaarde in East Flanders, Belgium. It stands on a wide plateau in the Flemish Ardennes, at roughly 85 meters above sea level, making it a visible landmark across the surrounding countryside.

What makes this mill unusual?

Tissenhovemolen stands out among the region's windmills for having three storeys: a flour floor, a millstone floor, and a storage floor. It is one of only two three-storey mills in East Flanders, which alone makes it a rarity among surviving structures of this kind.

What is the history behind the mill?

Tissenhovemolen holds the oldest documented history of any windmill still standing in Flanders. It was first mentioned in a Latin record from 1218 as "molendinum de vento quod situm est juxta villam de Materne" — a windmill situated next to the village of Mater. Further mentions appear in historical records from 1571 and 1577. For centuries the mill belonged to the barony of Schorisse, tying it into the feudal structure of the region.

The mill's current structure most likely dates from around 1787, meaning the building visitors see today is already well over two centuries old, even though the site's history stretches back much further.

What happened to the mill in the 20th century?

During the Second World War, German forces used Tissenhovemolen as an observation post, taking advantage of its elevated position on the plateau to survey the surrounding land. The mill remained operational as a working industrial site until roughly 1958, after which milling activity ceased.

The mill's story did not end there. In 1971 it was purchased by Ernest Vandendriessche, an artist from Ename, who helped preserve the structure. It underwent a thorough restoration in 1976, and again in 2006, securing its historic frame for future generations. In 2015, ownership passed to the city of Oudenaarde, which now oversees the monument.

Is the mill legally protected?

Yes. Tissenhovemolen has been protected as a monument since 1956. This legal status reflects the mill's significance not just to the local community of Mater, but to the industrial heritage of the wider East Flanders region.

Can visitors tour Tissenhovemolen?

The mill is made accessible to the public through local tourism initiatives run by the city of Oudenaarde, which promotes it as a worthwhile stop when exploring the picturesque village of Mater and the surrounding Flemish Ardennes. The distinctive silhouette of the wooden post mill on its hilltop draws visitors interested in industrial heritage architecture as well as those simply looking for a quiet, rural corner of Flanders.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Tissenhovemolen located? In the village of Mater, part of the city of Oudenaarde in East Flanders, at an elevation of about 85 meters.

When was the current mill built? The present structure most likely dates from around 1787, although the mill's history at this site goes back to 1218.

How does it differ from other windmills in the region? It has three storeys — a flour floor, a millstone floor, and a storage floor — making it one of only two such three-storey mills in East Flanders.

Who manages the mill today? Since 2015, the city of Oudenaarde has owned it; before that, from 1971, it belonged to the artist Ernest Vandendriessche.