Buitenmolen

Buitenmolen stands in Berendrecht, within Antwerp’s Berendrecht-Zandvliet-Lillo area, at the edge of the Westmolengeest. Built in 1822 from regional Boomse bricks, the wind-powered grain mill rises as a tapered brick tower. Its gallery sits 2.5 metres above the ground, allowing the 22-metre sails to catch wind above nearby obstacles.

Four floors organise the milling process, with three pairs of millstones, a crusher, sifter and elevator inside. Wind originally supplied all its power, while a diesel engine added in 1936 kept one milling pair working during calm weather. Grain for people and animals continued to pass through the mill until 1947, including during the 1944 liberation battles when electricity and fuel were scarce.

After years of decline, restoration began under baker Antoon Verbraak, who acquired the mill in 1980. Repairs to the cap came in 1989, and the restored machinery became operational again in 1996. Protected as a monument since 1981, the structure retains walls nearly one metre thick at the base and a cap turned by tailpole and winch. Volunteers have helped preserve its milling traditions, while the surrounding site has included a tavern, sun terrace and nearby mini-golf.