Vredesmolen

On a small hill in the village of Klerken stands the Vredesmolen, a former windmill that’s seen more than its share of history. Also known locally as the “Old Mill” or the “Shot-Down Mill,” this brick structure once milled grain and oil, but during World War I, it became something very different.

Because of its position at the highest point in the area - 43 metres above sea level - the mill was used by the German army as a lookout post. Despite intense shelling, it remained standing for most of the war, until it caught fire in 1917 after a direct hit. When Allied forces launched their final offensive in September 1918, they found the mill abandoned. The Germans had escaped through a tunnel they had dug under the site—an entrance to it can still be seen today.

The mill was never rebuilt after the war. Instead, it was left in its ruined state, a visible reminder of the destruction the region endured. In 1999, it was officially protected as a heritage site and given a new name: Vredesmolen, or “Peace Mill.”

Restoration began in 2011 to secure the structure and open it up to the public. Rather than restoring it to its original function, the aim was to preserve it as a wartime monument. Inside, a steel staircase leads to a platform where you get a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside—much like the view soldiers would’ve had over a century ago.

The Vredesmolen of war, loss and the effort to rebuild. If you’re in the area, it’s worth taking a moment to stop by.