The Brustelen watermill, located on the Kleine Nete in Houtum, has a history dating back to 1248. In that year, the mill was first mentioned in a charter. The wooden building was set on fire during the religious wars in 1583, but was rebuilt in stone ten years later. In the 17th century, the mill was further expanded with a fulling mill and an oil mill. In the years 1921–1923, the former wooden building of the fulling mill was replaced by a stone structure, which was converted into a grain mill. The wooden grain mill building was demolished in 1926. The mill still retains its impressive metal undershot wheel with wooden blades, which stands under a protective roof. Today, the mill functions as a charming hotel-restaurant, where the historic milling equipment is still present. Although the water rights have since been sold and the upstream sluice system has disappeared, the mill remains a special place. In 2008, a fish ladder was constructed at the mill, and although it is not an official monument, it was recognized as architectural heritage on October 5, 2009.
Part of: Belgium