Stermolen en Molenhuisje
Post mill in Eksel with an interactive exhibition about windmills and the miller's trade in the mill house.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Stermolen stands in Eksel, a part of Hechtel-Eksel. A windmill had stood in the hamlet since 1659, but it burnt down on 20 March 1886. As a replacement, a mill from Hainaut dating from the early eighteenth century was bought. In 1901 it was brought to Eksel by rail and rebuilt close to the site of the burnt mill. The name refers to the wind rose painted on the mill house in the early twentieth century.
The mill ground animal feed and buckwheat. In 1954 one of the sails was removed, and until 1970 it turned on a single sail. When the last miller retired, a millwright wanted to sell the mill to a location in the Netherlands, but the local population objected and the mill stayed in Eksel. It was given protected status in 1973, bought by the municipality in 1977 and restored in 1983-1984.
The mill house used to serve as a storehouse, dwelling and grinding room. Since 2010 an educational exhibition there tells the story of mills and the miller's craft. Volunteer millers operate the mill and show visitors how it works.
Highlights
- Post mill of the Hainaut type with a high mill house
- Wind rose on the side, which gives the mill its name
- Passionate millers who demonstrate how the mill works
- Interactive exhibition about mills in the mill house
Permanent exhibition
- Tentoonstelling over molens en het molenaarsambacht – In the mill house, an interactive exhibition tells the story of mills and the work of the miller.
- Operated by
- Gemeente Hechtel-Eksel
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €3The child rate is €3; no age limit is stated. |
Admission: €4 per adult and €3 per child. The Stermolen is a member of the Open Monumenten network.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
Opposite the mill is Brasserie De Meule (Windmolenstraat 9) for a drink or a meal.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | During opening times you can come in without a reservation, and the millers show how the mill works. Groups book a visit via vrijetijd@hechtel-eksel.be or through the application form on the municipality's website. |
