Kortrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Kortrijk’s Hoogmolen windmill will undergo full renovation in 2027–2028. Alderman Wout Maddens said repairs include sails and structure, costing €500,000, with €267,000 funded by the Flemish Heritage Agency.
As VRT News reported, the Hoogmolen, Kortrijk’s oldest windmill, will undergo a full renovation in 2027 and 2028. The project will focus on preserving the mill’s original character while ensuring its long-term stability and safety.
What repairs are planned for Kortrijk’s Hoogmolen windmill in 2027–2028?
Work will also involve considerable repairs to the windmill’s exterior and interior. The mill’s sails, which hadn’t been in use for years and were removed in February due to safety concerns, were removed to facilitate the restoration. After the restoration, the windmill will be tested and adjusted so it can operate fully again
Although the big renovation of the Hoogmolen windmill is not taking place until 2027, repairs are currently taking place. The first project in the plan is the roof of the dice shed, the solid stone building carrying the mill.
The total cost of the full renovation is estimated at around half a million euros. Because the work requires the expertise of a certified mill builder, the city will receive support from the Flemish Agency for Immovable Heritage. The subsidy will cover 60% of the costs, amounting to €267,000.
Originally constructed in 1717, the Hoogmolen windmill in Kortrijk has existed for more than 3 centuries as a symbol of the heritage of Kortrijk. The windmill ground grain to serve the local community and became a prominent cultural symbol. In the mid-1990s, it was completely restored in order to maintain its structure and appearance. The sails were removed years later for safety reasons.
