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Mill De Hoop has been in Sleen since 1915. Prior to this time, it stood in Amersfoort. Belon…
Mill De Hoop has been in Sleen since 1915. Prior to this time, it stood in Amersfoort. Belonging to its church, brinkdorp (a village with a brink, which is a central open space to be found in many of Drenthe’s sandy settlements) Sleen is home to the tallest tower in Drenthe. The mill is the village’s other high-rising building and holds a prominent place in the village. The ground floor is in use by an adjoining company; the upper floors can be viewed and are almost always open (including for free tours) every Wednesday and Saturday.
At mill De Hoop, an old tradition has been revived. This tradition is the so-called midwinterhoornblazen, or “midwinter horn blowing.” On the first Saturday of December, the midwinter horn is blown from atop the mill’s stage. In line tradition, the blowing of the horn announces midwinter. Midwinter starts on Advent Sunday and ends on the day of Epiphany, on 6 January.
