De Hoop, Stellingmill in Sleen, Netherlands
De Hoop is a stellingmill with an octagonal wooden tower and a raised gallery that allowed millers to reach and adjust the sails from an elevated platform. The structure features traditional wood and cast-iron components that powered the grinding mechanism inside.
This mill was constructed in 1854 to serve the farming communities around Sleen by milling their grain into flour. It remained in active use through much of the 20th century before being recognized as a protected Rijksmonument.
The mill functions as a Rijksmonument that demonstrates the craftsmanship of traditional grinding techniques still visible in its mechanisms. You can see how millers worked with the wooden gearing and stones to process grain efficiently.
The mill is accessible for viewing its exterior and the wooden gallery structure from ground level and nearby paths. On scheduled open days, visitors can step inside to see the milling machinery in detail and learn how wind power was converted into grinding motion.
The cast-iron windshaft represents an early adoption of industrial materials that improved the durability of the traditional wooden machinery. This combination of old and new technologies shows how millers adapted their craft as better materials became available.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
