Discover the water mills of Bosbeek and Itterbeek with the ErfgoedApp
In the north of Limburg, on the border with Dutch Limburg, between Maaseik and Weert in the Netherlands, lies a beautifully varied nature reserve. It is a region that is not very well known and does not readily appear on people's wish lists of favorite vacation destinations in their own country. This is unfortunate and unjustified, because this area, the GrensPark Kempen~Broek, deserves to be much better known and recognized. In Kempen~Broek, people, nature, culture, and heritage go hand in hand.
Key on the gate
GrensPark Kempen~Broek is a somewhat unique nature reserve full of surprises and variety. You will find dry and wet nature reserves, sand drifts and swamp forests, meadows, coniferous forests, heathlands, marshes, streams, ponds, and many charming villages and towns that invite you to explore. And above all, you will find many windmills.
GrensPark Kempen~Broek is proud that the region still has 47 windmills and watermills. And that is precisely where MolenNetwerk KempenBroek and the ErfgoedApp come ErfgoedApp play. MolenNetwerk KempenBroek makes this unique mill heritage accessible ErfgoedApp various cycling routes with the help of the ErfgoedApp . One of these is the Watermill Route.
"Use the ErfgoedApp the key to the mill gate": with this slogan, the Mill Network invites you to cycle the Watermill Route. This 45-kilometer bike ride takes you along the Bosbeek and Itterbeek rivers in the Maaseik and Bree area. Be sure to set aside a whole day for this, because there is a lot to discover along the way. You will cycle through charming villages such as Tongerlo, Opitter, Opoeteren, Neeroeteren, and Wurfeld and get to know the beautiful nature of this region. Almost the entire route takes you along quiet country roads with a few steep climbs here and there. Along the way, the ErfgoedApp tells you ErfgoedApp the landscape and old farms or striking roadside chapels that invite you to take a break.
As you cycle along, you will pass the real stars of the landscape: the twelve water mills. Be sure to slam on the brakes when you see the water wheel turning. The miller will be there and will be happy to tell you all about 'his' mill and how it works. But even if the mill is not turning and the gate is locked, it is still worth stopping to ErfgoedApp and watch the stories in the ErfgoedApp . There is a lot to see and it is very varied: from old films and photos from the past to impressive animations about how a fulling mill, grain mill, sawmill, or oil mill works. As the icing on the cake, short videos at many mills also allow you to actually 'look behind the gate into the mill'.
The Klaaskensmolen, a special mill
Although every windmill is well worth a visit, the Klaaskensmolen in Neeroeteren deserves a special mention. You have to search a little, but the windmill is located near junction 47 of the junction network.
The Klaaskensmolen is not just any water-powered mill. It is the only water-powered sawmill still in operation in Flanders. Miller Lucas Ceelen operates the impressive sawing mechanism with great skill and love. Installed during the First World War, the sawing machine, with its horizontally positioned saw blade, is a real old-timer that must be treated with respect. The mill volunteers enthusiastically explain how the impressive machine saws through thick tree trunks.
Be sure to ask the millers about the story of the OLS-bölkes. The OLS is a large traditional shooting festival in which around 130 shooting clubs from both Limburgs participate. We won't reveal what bölkes are and what the Klaaskensmolen has to do with them. Because the millers at the Klaaskensmolen can tell you that story much better!
