Brakel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality's name is derived from a Carolingian villa Braglo which was first mentioned in 866 and which was located in the center of the town of Opbrakel. Since 1970, the municipality comprises the villages of Nederbrakel, Opbrakel, Michelbeke, Elst, Zegelsem. In 1977 Everbeek, Parike and part of Sint-Maria-Oudenhove were added to the municipality. On January 1st, 2006 Brakel had a total population of 13,726. The t… (More on Brakel)