Nederbrakel
Town
View of Nederbrakel from the Uitkijktoren (Watch Tower)
View of Nederbrakel from the Uitkijktoren (Watch Tower)
Nederbrakel is located in Belgium
Nederbrakel
Nederbrakel
Location in Belgium
Coordinates: 50°48′10″N 3°45′51″E / 50.8028°N 3.7641°E / 50.8028; 3.7641
Country Belgium
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceEast Flanders
MunicipalityBrakel
Area
[1]
 • Total8.76 km2 (3.38 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total6,454
 • Density740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zoneCET

Nederbrakel is a town 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 5,972 residents as of 2000, it forms the largest individual part of the municipality.[2] Nederbrakel is located near the language border.[2]

Overview

Ceramics have been discovered dating from 450 B.C. The town was first mentioned as Brakele Inferius in the 13th century. In the 19th century, the economy was mainly based on flax cultivation. The Railway line Aalst-Zottegem-Ronse opened in 1885 with a train station at Nederbrakel which closed in 1963.[2]

The Sint-Pietersbanden Church was built in the 14th century, and reconstructed in 1828. The tower was built next to the church between 1515 and 1521. The spire burnt down in 1750 and replaced with a simple spire. The tower was classified as a monument in 1936.[3]

Toep Chapel

In 1917, Dean August Vael prayed that the town would be spared in World War I. In 1924, the Toep Chapel was erected to commemorate the sparing of Nederbakel.[4]

The Toep Hill is one of the two hills next to the village. The Toep Park is located on top of the hill. This privately owned park contains the source of mineral water which has been bottled since 1898. On the edge of the park is the Castle of the Toep Sources, a neoclassic castle built in 1873.[5]

During the 20th century, the town became mainly a residential and commuter's town.[2] In 1971, the municipality of Nederbrakel merged with Michelbeke and Opbrakel. The new municipality was named Brakel.[6]

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "Bevolking per statistische sector - Sector 45059A". Statistics Belgium. Retrieved 4 May 2022. Including Ursel (2,817)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Nederbrakel". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Sint-Pieter-in-de-Bandenkerk". Beiaard (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "Toepkapel". Toepkapel (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Nederbrakel". Brakel Toerisme (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Brakel". Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "JEAN HENRI DE COENE Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, holding his gloves". Sothebys. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  8. ↑ "Voordracht Bert Govaert - uitgesteld tot latere datum! Een lezing over minister Albert De Vleeschauwer tijdens W.O. II". Library of Brakel (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2020.
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