Brakel

Brakel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. Brakel has an area of 5644 hectares and has more than 13,500 inhabitants. Brakel belongs to the arrondissement of Oudenaarde.

In 1970 the municipalities of Elst, Michelbeke, Nederbrakel, Opbrakel and Zegelsem were merged into one municipality: Brakel. Brakel took its name from that of Nederbrakel and Opbrakel. They in turn came from the Carolingian villa "Braglo", which was already mentioned in 866 and which was located on the site of the current village center of Opbrakel. In 1977, Everbeek, Parike and part of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove were also added to Brakel.

Geographically, Brakel in the South connects with the South Flemish hill row formed by the Kluisberg, Hotondberg, Muziekberg, Pottelberg and Rodenberg (Mont de Rhode). The northern part of Brakel ends in the Zwalm valley. Geologically, the hills are made up of tertiary sediments; mainly loamy soils are found. Brakel is part of the Flemish Ardennes.

The current mayor of Brakel is Herman De Croo.

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