Toremansmolen

Toremansmolen is a wooden windmill in Arendonk, a municipality in the Belgian province of Antwerp, standing on the Wampenberg rise in the De Wissel district. It is an octagonal upper-turning post mill (achtkantige bovenkruier), and its current structure dates from 1809. Since 18 October 1943 the mill has held protected monument status.

Where does the name come from?

Despite sounding like it might reference a tower ("toren"), the name Toremansmolen actually comes from a family nickname. In 1854 the mill was bought by the Raeymaekers family, known locally as "die van den Toreman." That nickname quickly became attached to the mill at De Wissel, and the name Toremansmolen stuck to this day — though records also mention the mill under the names De Toreman, Steendonker, and Smoutmolen.

How far back does milling on this site go?

The site's milling history runs much deeper than the 1809 structure suggests. As early as 1280, the Abbey of Postel sought to control milling rights in Arendonk, and in 1336 Duke Jan III of Brabant granted the abbey its first own mill, built on the heath toward Mierde. In 1435 the abbey's mill was relocated to Madritten. That same mill passed into private hands in 1792 and collapsed in 1808. The following year, using parts salvaged from its predecessor, a new mill was raised on the Wampenberg — the same mill that stands there today.

What makes this mill unusual?

Toremansmolen combines two functions within a single wooden structure: a grain mill and an oil-crushing mill. According to local sources, this combination in a wooden mill of this type is unique in the world. The oil-crushing operation ran until 1946, while the grain-milling side continued until 1951, after which the mill stood idle for decades.

Is the mill still operational?

Yes. After years of inactivity, Toremansmolen underwent a thorough restoration completed in 2021. Since then it has regained its technical ability to mill grain, making it not just a monument to view from the outside but a working example of historic milling technology.

Where exactly is it located?

The mill stands in Arendonk, a small municipality in Antwerp province close to the Dutch border, in the district known as De Wissel, on the Wampenberg rise.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current mill structure built? The present windmill was erected in 1809, partly from parts salvaged from its predecessor, which had collapsed the year before.

Why is it called Toremansmolen? After the nickname of the Raeymaekers family ("die van den Toreman"), who bought the mill in 1854.

Was it a typical grain windmill? Not quite — it combined grain milling with oil crushing, a rare pairing for a wooden mill of this type.

Can visitors see the mill in operation? Yes, following its restoration completed in 2021 the mill regained the ability to grind grain.