Like the Collse mill, the Opwetten watermill is located on the Kleine Dommel River, but more upstream in the hamlet of Opwetten near Nuenen. A water mill had stood on this spot for centuries as well. In the eleventh century, it was said to be owned by the Benedictine abbey of St. Truiden in Belgium and has had a turbulent history ever since. After a fire in 1765, the mill was almost completely rebuilt. The tall building is the corn mill. At more than 9.3 meters in diameter, the mill has the largest water wheel in the Netherlands. It is also used as a wood sawmill. The lower part serves as an oil mill. Later, it was also used as a fulling mill: to stiffen fabric. The rear part is also used for a period as a tannery.
In Vincent's time it was called Jansmolen, after its earlier owner Johannes Sengers. Piet van Hoorn, the miller's son at the time, stated that he had seen Vincent painting. As a child, Van Hoorn would also look for bird's nests for the artist to paint after, for which he would receive two dimes. Vincent does indeed capture the water mill on canvas, though it probably dates from the spring of 1885.
The Opwetten watermill is also located on the "On the Road with Vincent" cycling and walking route, where you can learn all about Van Gogh's time in this pearl of Brabant via eighteen information kiosks.
Water Mill Klothuys sells local delicacies, as well as Van Gogh hiking and biking trails.
Current information can be found on the website of the restaurant located in this water mill: the Water Mill of Opwetten.
