Tombeelmolen

Tombeelmolen is a brick-built grain windmill standing on Molenstraat in Outrijve, a village belonging to the municipality of Avelgem in the West Flanders province of Belgium. Although the current stone structure dates from the 1920s, milling activity on this exact spot goes back much further – the site already appears on the 1669 map of the Kasselrij Oudenaarde, where a timber mill is marked at this location.

Where does the mill's story begin?

In the 18th century, a wooden mill stood here owned by an aristocratic landowner and leased out to the Van Der Plancke family. Locals took to calling it "the mill of the Plancke children," a nickname that stuck in popular memory even though the physical building has changed completely since then – a reminder of how deeply windmills were woven into the everyday life of these communities.

Who took over the mill in the 19th century?

A decisive shift came in 1884, when the grain mill was purchased by Cyriel Decoster. From that point on, the Decoster family became closely tied to the site for decades. From 1926 onward, the stone grain windmill was run by Georges De Coster (1901–1966) together with his wife Elisa Deconinck (1906–1998), a couple who kept the mill operating on a daily basis for years.

What happened to the mill during the First World War?

The Tombeelmolen's history mirrors the turbulence of the region in the early 20th century. During the First World War, the German occupying forces ordered milling operations to stop, and in 1918 the building was set on fire. That destruction was not the end of the story: on the very same site, miller Georges Decoster built a new stone bergmill between 1923 and 1926 – the structure that still stands today.

How was the mill adapted to changing times?

Once rebuilt, the mill was gradually modernized to keep pace with new technology and working conditions. In 1930 a diesel engine was installed, allowing grinding to continue even during calm weather when the sails stood idle. In 1941 an improved sail system was fitted to boost the mill's efficiency, and the following year, in 1942, the mill was connected to the electricity grid. These successive upgrades show how traditional wind-powered milling tried to hold its ground against growing competition from mechanical and electric mills.

What is the condition of the Tombeelmolen today?

Between 1999 and 2000, the mill underwent a thorough restoration that returned it to full working order, once again capable of grinding grain. Since then, it has been cared for by the association "Vrienden van de Molen te Outrijve" (Friends of the Mill in Outrijve), which looks after both the technical upkeep of the structure and the living milling tradition tied to the site. Thanks to this volunteer involvement, the Tombeelmolen remains an active, functioning monument rather than a purely static museum piece.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Tombeelmolen located? The mill stands on Molenstraat in Outrijve, a village within the municipality of Avelgem, in the West Flanders province of Belgium.

Is the mill still operational? Yes, following its restoration between 1999 and 2000, the mill is once again capable of grinding grain and is maintained by a local association of mill enthusiasts.

How old is the current mill building? The brick structure visible today was built between 1923 and 1926, after the previous wooden mill was burned down in 1918.

Are there traces of earlier mills on the site? Yes, the location has been used for milling since at least 1669, when a timber mill was recorded here on the map of the Kasselrij Oudenaarde, though none of the earlier buildings have survived to the present day.