In a quiet side street of St. Janstraat, which forms the main road from Rucphen to Etten-Leur, lies Molen De Hoop, somewhat hidden, perhaps even a bit concealed. Sprundel has owned a stone mound or "berg" mill since 1840.
This smock mill, also known as a hillside mill, is a windmill that stands on a natural or artificially raised sand hill, called the mill mound, an earth embankment overgrown with grass. The mill mound of our Sprundel mill is equipped with an entrance, the "invaart," which allowed people to drive the mill in with horse and cart and, after the grain sacks were picked up under the trapdoors, horse and cart left the mill via the "uitvaart." Due to changed land ownership and a lack of space behind the mill, the "uitvaart" has lost its function.
The mill is fully operational and grinds for, among others, the local baker, who uses the flour for baking Sprundels molenbrood, also known as Wiendfleppen. A number of individuals also visit the mill to buy flour for “home baking” bread. The mill is regularly opened to the public, and group tours are organised on request and guided by mill guides. It is possible to visit the mill by appointment. Activities are regularly organised in and around the mill. You can also go there for communion or wedding photos, and the mill can also be hired for a part of the day for activities in and around the mill. The mill is permanently floodlit in the evenings.
