Fulling mill - Epen-Plaat

The Volmolen (fulling mill) was part of the Vaaler cloth industry. The mill's location on the Geul had the advantage that there was plenty of water available. Opportunities for fulling were limited in the Vaals area. Fulling is the felting of wool. The urine and rancid butter required for fulling were discharged into the Geul after use. Not surprisingly, the Volmolen was built outside the village centre of Epen!

Striking are the facades of the mill house, which are built in various types of locally occurring quarry stone. The masonry and pointing mortar are of a sandy lime mortar with a typical yellow-brown colour, which is region-specific due to the use of locally mined sand. The bakehouse also has gables of quarry stone. It is located on the other side of the mill branch because of the fire hazard. Inside, the baking oven is still present.

To secure the mill for the future, it was transferred to the Society for the Preservation of Nature Monuments in the Netherlands. For its operation, Stichting De Volmolen Epen was established. The mill currently grinds grain. For Natuurmonumenten, the Volmolen is a wonderful place to interact with its visitors. It has therefore ensured that visitors can experience the lost craft of wool milling again and a volunteer room has been created. Furthermore, the installation for the artisanal milling of grain has been renewed and a new expo will be realised in a second phase. In the future, it is planned to expand the experience of the Volmolen by adding ‘peeping windows’.

The Volmolen will be open to the public every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month between April and November, between 11am and 4pm. Millers, mill guides, excursion guides and volunteer foresters will be on hand to provide a welcoming reception.