Rupelmonde

Tidal mill
The Rupelmonde water mill is the last tidal mill in the Scheldt estuary. The fully restored structure blocks off a Scheldt inlet. By high tide water is saved. When the water ebbs, the signal is given to close the lock gates. By the lowest tide the miller lets the saved water drain and the six-metre high water wheel and the four millstones start moving. Milling can last several hours. A demonstration of the last historic tidal mill in Western Europe is sure to be the highlight of your visit to Rupelmonde.
In the Middle Ages tidal mills were of the utmost importance economically, as was the Scheldt itself. It is no coincidence that the counts of Flanders built an imposing water fortress in this location. The shipping toll collected here considerably filled the Rupelmonde city coffers. When the religious wars also affected the Scheldt estuary, however, the fortress was destroyed. The Graventoren on the Mercator island reminds us of this glorious era.
In the Graventoren you can visit an exhibition about the life and work of the Rupelmonde native Mercator. The young Gerard De Cremer saw how the faraway sea set the wheels of the tidal mills in motion twice a day. He became fascinated with the sea and was to be the first to establish a map of the world's oceans. Rupelmonde and the Scheldt estuarty soon became too small for him. But it is there, on the border between land and sea that his passion for the sea and the world was born.
Practical: The tidal mill and the Graventoren are open from 1 April to 30 November from Tuesday to Sunday (2 Nederstraat). Duo tickets are €1.25. Groups can request a guided tour throughout the year. Price: €12.50. Depending on the tides, the miller has the water wheel turn 15 times a month and shows how grain used to be milled. Ask the tourist office for a calendar with exact milling dates.
Information: Tourist Office Rupelmonde, 1 Nederstraat 1, 9150 Rupelmonde (closed on Mondays)
tel. 0032-3 744 10 13, www.kruibeke.be
Practical: A combination of visits to the Getijdenmolen, Westhinder, D'n Bruinen and
CNR yard is possible.
Information: Tourist Office Rupelmonde, 1 Nederstraat, 9150 Rupelmonde, tel 0032-3 744 10 13, www.kruibeke.be