Vermeulens molen

Vermeulens molen is a stone-built mill standing on Vlamertingsestraat in Elverdinge, a village within the municipality of Ypres in West Flanders. Despite its modest appearance today, the mill carries over two centuries of history and remains one of the more tangible reminders of the region's traditional milling industry.

Where does the mill's name come from?

The name traces back to the Vermeulen family, specifically to Charles Louis Vermeulen-Smagghe, who purchased the then-operating wooden mill in 1838 from its previous owner, Charles Eugène Dehaene. It was under Vermeulen's ownership that the building took on the form it largely retains today, and descendants of the family — now known as Vermeulen/Smagghe — still own the property.

How did the mill's structure evolve over time?

The original mill was built between 1795 and 1817 as a wooden, three-storey grain and oil mill. After Vermeulen took over, the timber structure proved inadequate for the mill's needs, and in 1843 it was replaced with a stone-built body, which kept the same dual function of grinding grain and pressing oil.

A further major change came in 1909, when the sails were removed and the mill switched to mechanical power. From that point on, Vermeulens molen stopped operating as a wind-powered mill in the traditional sense and continued instead as a mechanically driven facility.

What role did the mill play during World War II?

Because of its height and vantage point over the flat surrounding countryside, German soldiers used the mill body as an observation post during the war. To extend their field of view, they added extra courses of brick to the top of the structure — a wartime modification still visible in the building's unusual silhouette today.

What has survived to the present day?

Inside, the mill still houses mechanical equipment from its working years: three pairs of millstones, a grain-cleaning winnower, an oat crusher, and a diesel engine that powered the whole operation after wind power was abandoned. This equipment remains in place across the ground floor and the following three storeys, making Vermeulens molen a rare case where the original production technology was neither dismantled nor removed.

In 2008, part of the third floor partially collapsed after wood-boring insects damaged a supporting beam. Earlier, between 1993 and 1994, a full restoration of both the stone body and the milling mechanism had been carried out, which helped the building survive in relatively good condition to this day.

Why is Vermeulens molen worth a visit?

It offers a rare chance to trace a mill's complete technological journey: from a wooden wind-powered structure, through a stone-built version still driven by wind, to a fully mechanised operation powered by an engine. The wartime layer of history — traces left by German soldiers who used the building as a lookout post — adds a dimension beyond milling history alone. The mill sits close to Ypres, a town strongly associated with World War I heritage, making the surrounding area appealing to visitors interested in the historical layers of West Flanders.

Frequently asked questions

Can the mill be visited inside? The building remains privately owned by the Vermeulen/Smagghe family, so public access may be limited — it's worth checking locally before planning a visit.

Does the mill still have sails? No, the sails were removed in 1909 when wind power was replaced by a mechanical drive.

What material is the current mill body made of? The current body is stone-built, replacing the original wooden structure in 1843.

Where exactly is the mill located? On Vlamertingsestraat in Elverdinge, a village within the municipality of Ypres in the province of West Flanders.