Brakel
Encyclopedia
Brakel is a municipality
in the Belgian
province of East Flanders
in the Denderstreek
and the Flemish Ardennes
. The name is derived from a Carolingian villa Braglo first mentioned in 866 and located in the center of Opbrakel. Since 1970, the municipality has comprised the villages of Nederbrakel
, Opbrakel, Michelbeke
, Elst
, Zegelsem. In 1977 Everbeek
, Parike and part of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove
were added. On January 1, 2006 Brakel had a population of 13,726. The area is 56.46 km² which gives a population density
of 243 per km². The mayor is Herman De Croo
.
The region is known for the green hills and valleys, which attract cyclists and walkers and play a role in the Ronde van Vlaanderen cycling race.
The Braekel
chicken is named after the town.
The Uitkijktoren, a 32-metre high viewing tower was opened in April 2001. It is located at 50.8124°N 3.7391°E on the Twaalfbunderstraat, north-west of Nederbrakel. Orientation boards at the top enable visitors to identify places of interest in all directions.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
province of East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
in the Denderstreek
Denderstreek
The Denderstreek or Denderland is a region in the heart of Belgium. It is named after the river Dender. Though the river stretches over three provinces, Hainaut, East Flanders and Flemish Brabant, the region called after the river is situated in East-Flanders. The Dutch word streek means region....
and the Flemish Ardennes
Flemish Ardennes
The Flemish Ardennes is an informal name given to a hilly region in the south of the province of East Flanders, Belgium.The area is distinct from the Ardennes, which is situated further to the south in Wallonia, France and Luxembourg....
. The name is derived from a Carolingian villa Braglo first mentioned in 866 and located in the center of Opbrakel. Since 1970, the municipality has comprised the villages of Nederbrakel
Nederbrakel
Nederbrakel is a village in the municipality of Brakel. It is located in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the province of East-Flanders, Belgium. With 6500 residents, it forms the largest individual part of the municipality.- External links :* *...
, Opbrakel, Michelbeke
Michelbeke
Michelbeke is a village in the municipality of Brakel. It is located in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the province of East-Flanders, Belgium...
, Elst
Elst, Belgium
Elst is a village belonging to the municipality of Brakel. It is located in the Denderstreek in the province East Flanders in Belgium. It is famous for its Geutelingen, a kind of pancake.- External links :*...
, Zegelsem. In 1977 Everbeek
Everbeek
Everbeek is a village situated in the Flemish Ardennes and in the Denderstreek in Belgium. In 1975, it was included into the municipality of Brakel...
, Parike and part of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove
Sint-Maria-Oudenhove
Sint-Maria-Oudenhove is a village in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the province of East Flanders, Belgium....
were added. On January 1, 2006 Brakel had a population of 13,726. The area is 56.46 km² which gives a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 243 per km². The mayor is Herman De Croo
Herman De Croo
Herman Francies Joseph De Croo is a Belgian liberal politician. He is a member of the Open VLD. He is the father of current Open VLD chairman Alexander De Croo....
.
The region is known for the green hills and valleys, which attract cyclists and walkers and play a role in the Ronde van Vlaanderen cycling race.
The Braekel
Braekel
The Braekel or Brakel is one of the older European chicken breeds. Its history dates back to 1416, when it was mentioned as a successful poultry breed of the Brakel region, Belgium....
chicken is named after the town.
The Uitkijktoren, a 32-metre high viewing tower was opened in April 2001. It is located at 50.8124°N 3.7391°E on the Twaalfbunderstraat, north-west of Nederbrakel. Orientation boards at the top enable visitors to identify places of interest in all directions.
Famous inhabitants
- Herman De CrooHerman De CrooHerman Francies Joseph De Croo is a Belgian liberal politician. He is a member of the Open VLD. He is the father of current Open VLD chairman Alexander De Croo....
, politician, former president of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives - Robbie McEwenRobbie McEwenRobbie McEwen is an Australian professional road bicycle racer, for on the UCI ProTour, specializing in sprint finishes...
, cyclist, won 12 stages in the Tour de FranceTour de FranceThe Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The... - Peter van PetegemPeter van PetegemPeter van Petegem is a former professional road racing cyclist. Van Petegem last rode for Quick Step-Innergetic, in 2007. He lived in Horebeke. He was a specialist in spring classics, one of ten riders to win the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris–Roubaix in the same season...
, cyclist, won Paris–Roubaix and the Ronde van Vlaanderen - LietbertusLietbertusSaint Lietbertus of Brakel was bishop of Cambrai from 31 March 1051 to 28 September 1076. Liebertus was born to the Brabançon nobility at Opbrakel...
, bishop of Cambrai during the 11th century