Historical mill In Stormen Sterk

Impressive sails

In Molenstraat in Gierle, you will find the mill In Stormen Sterk (Strong in a Storm). There has been a mill at this location since 1499. Whenever the mill was damaged by storms, fire or destruction, a new one was built. This was also the case in 1837, when a violent storm destroyed the previous mill. In Stormen Sterk is what is known as a grondzeiler, of the type buitenkruier. That means in the first instance that its sails can be operated from the ground, and in the second that it can be oriented towards the wind using a windlass. The sails have a span of 26.5 metres, which makes it one of the largest mills in the country! No wonder the mill was protected as a monument in 1981.

The mill is still started up on the last Sunday of every month. A team of volunteer millers will show you around.

The role of Kempens Landschap 

In 2006, Kempens Landschap bought the mill, after which the municipality of Lille leased the monument. After thorough restoration of the mechanical works and the exterior, the mill was reopened in April 2014.