- Position: Aux-Roches 1 Villers-Sainte-Gertrude (Durbuy) at S of the village on the Aisne
- Owner: Robert Smets-Goossens, phone: 086-499273
Construction year: Before 1600 Type: Overshot water mill Function: Grain-mill Characteristics: Still with oaks water-wheel and water ax Interior: 3 pair-of-millstones, oats crusher Condition: Grind-capable repaired in 1994-1995 Miller: Robert Smets Visiting hours: The entire year on appointment
Restored in 1997, the mill of the Rocks achieved a price granted by the Foundation King Baudouin and Quality-Village-Wallonia ASBL, within the framework of the valorization campaign of the hydraulic works (1994-1997), to replace a scoop wheel out of wood. However the date of construction of the buildings remains unknown, we know that the mill ceased its activities in 1950, while functioning in a partial way until 1970. The machinery is sheltered by a building on five levels, out of hard stone and limestone. The choice of the site, the narrowest throat of the valley of L’Aisne, made it possible to create a stopping, a channeled level and various valves which are still in use.The interior machinery, and tools were preserved inthe reserved space at the millers activities, namely the first two levels of the building. Thus can one see still there three pairs of grinding stones with different destinations; one for the flour, the second for animal feed and the last, coupled with an oats crusher, for oats.
|