A rich history
The wooden Leyssensmolen, surrounded by a green hedge and topped with a pyramid-shaped roof, is a must-see in Kattenbos. The mill, named after the Leyssen family who managed it from 1860 to 1905, has been a protected monument since 2001. After three relocations, the last in 1964, the mill rests at this idyllic location amidst open nature. The name "Leyssensmolen" refers to the family that operated the mill from 1860 to 1905.
After three relocations, the mill rests at this idyllic location amidst open nature.
The timeline of Leyssensmolen
The standard mill was originally built in Olmen (province of Antwerp) in 1797 and belonged to the lords of Olmen, the de Clippele d’Olmen family. They owned the watermill in Olmen, the Straalmolen, which enjoyed a milling monopoly. When feudal rights were abolished during the French period, a new standard mill, the Heimolen, was established. Out of dissatisfaction, the de Clippele family erected a second windmill in Olmen, near the Heimolen, hence the nickname at the time, the “Treitermolen”. In 1804, the mill was sold to Lommel resident Peter Cuypers, who had it rebuilt in 1809 in Lommel, near the center, by mill builder Vanduren.
The mill owes its name to the Leyssen family who operated it from 1860 to 1905. After 1905, the mill passed through several families until 1960 when the municipality of Lommel purchased it and moved it to the ‘Kattenbos’, where it was inaugurated in 1964, albeit without milling equipment. In 1988, the Caers brothers from Retie restored the mill to working order. However, the wooded surroundings hindered the mill’s proper operation.
Since 2003, the mill had stood idle, and a thorough restoration was needed. Due to the problematic location, it was decided to move the mill again, from the front of Zandstraat to a hill in the open plain at the back of Zandstraat. In 2007, the restoration dossier for a working recovery and relocation was started. In 2012, the mill body was placed back on the standard, and in 2013, the festive inauguration took place.
