Aalbake (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On February 11, 2025, a specialized company used a crane to remove the 24-meter blades from Hoogmolen in Aalbeke, Kortrik, due to rust and damage. Alderman Wout Maddens emphasized the importance of preserving the 300-year-old mill. The city plans a larger restoration, pending budget and historical considerations.
On February 11, 2025, workers used a large crane to remove the blades from the Hoogmolen in Aalbeke, Kortrijk. Each blade is 24 meters long. According to officials, they had to be careful because rust was found on the mill’s axle. The fence around the blades was also damaged, so it was taken down first.
According to Alderman Wout Maddens, experts needed to handle the job because the mill is big and important. He mentioned that this work is part of a plan to keep the Hoogmolen, one of West Flanders’ oldest mills, safe and preserved as a historical site.
“The blades are 24 meters long, so that has to be done by a specialized company,”
Explains alderman Wout Maddens.
What is the plan to restore the Hoogmolen in Aalbeke?
The mill has not worked for 6 years, which has affected its condition. Alderman Wout Maddens says that windmills need to move to stay strong. Since the Hoogmolen is over 300 years old and the oldest mill in Kortrijk, it is important to protect it. He mentioned that the city will talk to the Agency for Immovable Heritage to see what steps to take. This will help them decide how to keep the mill safe and restore it.
According to officials, one main problem in fixing the Hoogmolen is getting enough money. The costs will be very high, reaching hundreds of thousands of euros. The city has not set a final budget yet, but they want to find the funds.
They mentioned that the Hoogmolen is not the only mill needing work. Kortrijk has 2 more old mills that also need fixing. The city sees these mills as important parts of its history. They want to restore all of them for future generations. The work will not just fix the buildings but also help them become important places in the community.
“We also need to find the necessary budgets. I don’t dare say how much we need, but it runs into the hundreds of thousands. We also have 2 other mills on our territory. We want to tackle them all because they are the crown jewels of our heritage.”
Says Alderman Wout Maddens
The Hoogmolen was built in 1717 to replace a mill that burned down in 1714. It has been part of the local history for over 300 years. The city of Kortrijk bought the mill in 1980 and fixed it between 1993 and 1995 so it could work again.
Before the recent repairs, it was open to the public from April 2017 to September 2017 on the second Sunday of each month. Officials mentioned that the city wants to keep this historic site safe for the future. They said by fixing issues like rust and broken fencing, the restoration helps protect the Hoogmolen.
