Windmill De Hoop

Along the Vecht for over 350 years
On a beautiful spot along the Vecht in Loenen stands corn mill De Hoop. There was already a corn mill on this spot more than 350 years ago, in the seventeenth century. This was a compulsory mill, where farmers were obliged to have their grain ground. In those days, sloops and rafts could sail into the mill from the Vecht to load or unload.

Welcome every Saturday
Volunteer millers now ensure that the mill runs every Saturday. Come in and see for yourself how the mill grinds grain! The millers are happy to explain how it works. The mill also houses an information centre and mill shop. Here you can enjoy a cup of coffee and a beautiful view over the Vecht.

Construction in 1901
The mill's predecessor was lost to a fire in 1900. The new mill from 1901 was given a much higher scaffold: it floats ten metres above the ground. As the steam engine was on the rise at the time, mills were being demolished all over the country. When rebuilding the mill, it was therefore possible to make grateful use of all kinds of parts that had been freed up by demolition. For instance, the 'work in progress' came from a mill in Gelderland and the cap from a mill in the Zaan region.

Standstill
Until 1949, the mill operated as a corn mill. In 1963, the then miller and owner Schuurman sold the mill to the municipality of Loenen. The miller informed the municipality that he could no longer maintain the mill himself. The cap of the mill was repaired by the municipality. The mill had been a protected national monument since 1966. In 1974, the mill was transferred to Stichting De Utrechtse Molens. For many years, the mill was able to turn but not grind because the running gear was largely missing. In 2006/2007, Utrechts Landschap restored the mill thoroughly on behalf of Stichting De Utrechtse Molens, restoring the running gear so that the mill could grind again.

The mill shop offers all kinds of craft products for sale!