Old Mill - Fijnaart

In the hamlet of Oudemolen, near Fijnaart, stands the imposing Korenmolen De Oude Molen, a characteristic round stone scaffold mill deeply rooted in local history. Built in 1845 by Gerardus van der Ley, this mill replaced an earlier standerd mill that gave the area its name. Soon after its construction, in 1849, the mill was hit by a devastating fire in which only the stone hull remained standing. Fortunately, the mill was rebuilt in 1850 and resumed its function as a corn mill.

During the following decades, the mill changed hands several times and remained in operation until the 1960s. In 1967, the mill was dismantled, with the scaffolding and sails removed, and fell into disrepair. Thanks to the establishment of The Old Mill Foundation in 2000 and an intensive restoration between 2001 and 2008, the mill is again fully grinding capable and runs several times a week.

Today, De Oude Molen is a living monument where visitors can visit the inside of the mill and shop in the mill shop for home-milled flour, various bread and cake mixes and other regional products. The mill and shop are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm, or by appointment. When the sails are turning, the miller is present and activities are regularly organised to share the craft and history of the mill with the public.