The Retie watermill is an unnamed watermill on the Witte Nete, located a few kilometres southwest of the village centre of Retie. It is an undershot mill from 1765, housed in a rectangular stone building with a tent roof, covered with slates.
The first watermill on this site was probably built by the Corbie Abbey. The abbey in question already had extensive possessions in this region in 775 and 825. The first mention of a watermill dates from 1134, when the mill was owned by the Berthout van Grimbergen family. It was a ban mill. The mill also appeared in written documents in 1533.
In 1658, a new wooden building was erected, which was replaced by a stone building in 1765. Until 1795, the mill, together with the nearby Grote Hoeve, remained the property of the lords of the Retie estate. Then the estate was abolished and the mill was no longer a ban mill. However, it remained the property of noblemen, who leased it to a miller. In 1912, it was sold by Baron Du Four from Turnhout to miller Jan Quets. Ultimately, the mill remained in operation until 1970. In 1975, the mill and its surroundings were classified as a protected village view. Restoration followed in 2000, when the roof, covered with eternit, was again provided with slates. In 2007, a fish ladder was constructed.
At the mill is a junction of hiking trails over the Kempense Heuvelrug.

Translated by Google •

lilian2260

September 25, 2022

The watermill of Retie is an unnamed watermill on the Witte Nete (Kleine Neet) which is located a few kilometers southwest of the village center of Retie. It is an undershot mill from 1765 which is housed in a rectangular stone building with a tent roof, covered with slates. (Wikipedia)
Kayak trips also depart from here.

Translated by Google •

Dirk V 🚲 🚶📷

July 28, 2022

This grain water mill on the Kleine Nete was probably built by the Benedictine Fathers of the Corbie Abbey. The first mention of the water mill dates from 1134. In that year, the water mill was owned by the noble family de Berthouts van Grimbergen. The current brick building dates from 1756 and replaces a wooden construction from 1658. Until 1912, the water mill remained in the possession of noble families. After that, the miller family Quets kept the mill in operation until 1970. In 1975, the water mill was protected as a monument, and together with its surroundings also as a landscape. A thorough restoration was completed in 2000. Even today, the water mill is still in operation regularly.
The water mill is also the starting point for a canoe or kayak trip on the Kleine Nete.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

February 4, 2022

There is a picturesque, milling grain water mill on the Witte Nete. Although the oldest mention dates back to 1633, this mill site may have existed as early as the 14th century. The current brick mill house dates from 1765 and replaces a wooden construction from 1658. Legally it was a so-called ban mill. Such mills were under the supervision of the village lord; every subject was obliged to have his grain milled there and to relinquish part of the flour to the sovereign lord as a tax in kind. In the Middle Ages, mills therefore radiated a certain power and influence. The watermill is of the undershot type. This type was most dependent on the slow-flowing waterways in the Kempen. To increase the buoyancy and speed of the water, a weir and sluice system were built. An artificial rapid was created at the bottom quarter of the wheel. Both the indoor and outdoor installation of this watermill is completely intact.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 10 m

Weather

Today

Thursday 13 November

16°C

13°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Retie, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Prinsenpark Stone Mushroom Sculptures

Gertryvijver

Kapel van de Watermolen

Prinsenpark Entrance

Kanaal Dessel-Schoten

Bench with a View of De Liereman Heath

Boardwalk in the Witte Nete Valley

Path Through Pine Trees

Molendijk Gravel Road

View of the Open Field

Winding Forest Path

Breed Fietspad Door Het Bos

Retie Watermill

1. De Watermolen Kasterlee – Retie Watermill loop from Dessel

2. Retie Watermill – De Watermolen Kasterlee loop from Lichtaart

3. Sand Path Along Prinsenpark – Most beautiful picnic spot Retie loop from Geel

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️