Brakel

Brakel ( Braekel in out-of-date French) is a common Dutch-speaking of Belgium, located in Flemish Région in the Province of Flanders-Eastern.

The commune was born from the fusion of several old communes in 1970: Nederbrakel, Opbrakel, Elst, Michelbeke, Zegelsem. Its name comes from those of the two principal villages Nederbrakel and Opbrakel whose origin comes from Braglo a Carolingian villa mentioned for the first into 866 and located in the center of the village of Opbrakel. In 1977, the commune amalgamates with the communes of Everbeek and Parike and part of the village of Audenhove-Holy-Marie.

Brakel is in the Flemish part of the undulating area of the Pays of the Hills and the the Flemish Ardennes, with the Mount-with-the Enclus, Hotondberg, Muziekberg, Pottelberg and the Mont of Rhode. The north of the commune is in the valley of the Zwalm.

It is of this area that is originating the very old hen race which draws its name from the commune: the Cock of Braekel.

Famous characters

Born in Brakel

Jerome de Clercq, politician (19th century)
Hermann De Croo, politician (20th century)
Serge Baguet, racing cyclist (20th century)
Peter Van Petegem, racing cyclist (20th century)

Having lived in Brakel

Robbie McEwen, racing cyclist (20th century)

See too

Internal bonds

Cock of Braekel, race of very old hen originating in the area.

External bonds

Brakel.be Official site of the commune.

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