To spot the Oil Mill, look ahead for a narrow cobblestone street bordered by a brick wall and traditional tiled-roof houses, with a wooden shed to your right.
Welcome to the storied Oliemolen! If you listen closely, you might just hear the echo of old wagon wheels rumbling over these very cobblestones. This street, just 140 meters long, has been bustling with life since the 16th century. It’s not just the charm of the old brick walls-although if those walls could talk, they’d tell you tales of monks, millers, and perhaps the odd nosy neighbor peeking through the hedges! Here at Oliemolen 2 stands a monumental house from around the 1500s, whispering secrets of centuries past. Behind the wall hides the “Mispelhof” heemtuin, a wild garden famous for its rare medlars, while the “Kloosterhof” herb garden tickles your nose with the scent of rosemary and thyme drifting over the fence.
Nearby, you’ll stumble upon the old Jewish cemetery, its stones guarding ancient stories under the same name as this street. And don’t miss the city wall-older than your grandmother’s favorite joke-complete with a small gate leading you to the green Singelwal. Every stone here has a memory, every breeze a whisper. Take a moment: can you feel history humming under your feet?
