Brakel

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^[2] viewing tower was opened in April 2001.^[3] It is located at 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 Croo, politician, former president of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives
• Robbie McEwen, cyclist, won 12 stages in the Tour de France
• Peter van Petegem, cyclist, won Paris–Roubaix and the Ronde van Vlaanderen
• Lietbertus, bishop of Cambrai during the 11th century

References

1. ^ Population per municipality on 1 January 2010 (XLS; 221 KB)
2. ^ "Uitkijktoren Brakel" (in Dutch). Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen. http://www.toerismevlaamseardennen.be/vlaamse_ardennen/item.aspx?id=18932. Retrieved 2009-05-12. 
3. ^ "Sign at the foot of the Uitkijktoren" (in Dutch). http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:UitkijktorenSign5073.jpg. 

External links

• Official website (Dutch)