Brakel
Municipality
Lilare Castle in St-Maria-Oudenhove
Lilare Castle in St-Maria-Oudenhove
Flag of Brakel
Flag
Coat of arms of Brakel
Coat of arms
Location of Brakel
Brakel is located in Belgium
Brakel
Brakel
Location in Belgium
Location of Brakel in East Flanders
Coordinates: 50°48′N 03°45′E / 50.800°N 3.750°E / 50.800; 3.750
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceEast Flanders
ArrondissementOudenaarde
Government
 • MayorStefaan De Vleeschouwer (Open VLD )
 • Governing party/iesOpen VLD
Area
 • Total56.96 km2 (21.99 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total14,781
 • Density260/km2 (670/sq mi)
Postal codes
9660, 9661
NIS code
45059
Area codes055
Websitewww.brakel.be

Brakel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbraːkəl] ⓘ) 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 1 January 2018, Brakel had a population of 14,781. The area is 56.46 km² which gives a population density of 262 per km². The mayor is Stefaan De Vleeschouwer.

The region is known for the green hills and valleys, which attract cyclists and walkers and play a role in the Tour of Flanders cycling race.

The Braekel chicken is named after the town.

The Uitkijktoren

The Uitkijktoren, a 32 metres (105 ft) high[2] viewing tower was opened in April 2001.[3] It is located at 50°48′45″N 3°44′21″E / 50.8124°N 3.7391°E / 50.8124; 3.7391 on the Twaalfbunderstraat, north-west of Nederbrakel. Orientation boards at the top enable visitors to identify places of interest in all directions.

Famous inhabitants

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "Uitkijktoren Brakel" (in Dutch). Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  3. ↑ "Sign at the foot of the Uitkijktoren" (in Dutch). 22 March 2009.
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