In the 18th century, Bruges had over 25 windmills on its ramparts. Today three survive, clustered near the Kruispoort on the eastern edge of the city.

Sint-Janshuismolen (1770) is the only one still in its original location and still grinds flour. You can visit between May and September — climb the narrow stairs and watch the massive wooden gears turn when the wind is right. Flour ground here is sold in small bags as a souvenir.

Koeleweimolen (1765) was moved here from the town of Koeleweid in 1996. It's photogenic but not open to visitors.

Bonne Chieremolen was moved to the ramparts in 1911 from the village of Olsene. Like Koeleweimolen, it's closed but adds to the atmospheric cluster.

The area around the windmills is one of the best spots in Bruges for a picnic. The grassy ramparts slope down to the old moat on one side and the city on the other. In late afternoon, the low sun catches the sails and the red-brown wood glows.

Historically, windmills were industrial infrastructure — grinding grain, sawing wood, pressing oil. They stood on the ramparts to catch the unobstructed wind. As steam power arrived, they became obsolete. Most were demolished for materials.

The survival of these three is partly luck, partly civic pride. They're maintained by the city and represent a vanished landscape that's hard to imagine when you stand among them today.