Harelbeke
Harelbeke
(West Flemish: Oarlbeke) | |
---|---|
![]() Flag ![]() Coat of arms | |
![]() ![]() Harelbeke Location in Belgium
show Location of Harelbeke in West-Flanders | |
Coordinates: 50°51′N 03°18′E / 50.850°N 3.300°ECoordinates: 50°51′N 03°18′E / 50.850°N 3.300°E | |
Country | Belgium |
Community | Flemish Community |
Region | Flemish Region |
Province | West Flanders |
Arrondissement | Kortrijk |
Government | |
• Mayor | Alain Top (sp.a-Groen) |
• Governing party/ies | sp.a-Groen, N-VA, Open Vld |
Area | |
• Total | 29.14 km2 (11.25 sq mi) |
Population (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 27,886 |
• Density | 960/km2 (2,500/sq mi) |
Postal codes | 8530, 8531 |
Area codes | 056 |
Website | www.harelbeke.be |
Harelbeke (West Flemish: Oarlbeke) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Harelbeke proper and the towns of Bavikhove and Hulste. On January 1, 2019, Harelbeke had a total population of 28,447. The total area is 29.14 km² which gives a population density of 898 inhabitants per km². Inhabitants consider their hometown to be a "Weireldstad" (metropolis), which also led to a monthly "Harelbekedag" amongst the students of Harelbeke studying in Ghent.[citation needed]
In Harelbeke a museum remembers the life and work of musician and composer Peter Benoit, called the Stedelijk Museum "Peter Benoit".[2]
Famous natives[]
- Andreas Pevernage (1542/1543 – 1591), composer of the late Renaissance
- Jacobus Vaet (1529-1567), Renaissance composer, possibly born in Harelbeke
- (1941 - ), avant-garde composer
- Jan Bucquoy (1945 - ), anarchist and film-maker (Camping Cosmos)
- Peter Benoit, composer
- Wim Opbrouck, actor and singer
Harelbeke New British Cemetery[]
This cemetery is located just outside the downtown of Harelbeke and was designed by Willian Harrison Cowlishaw[3] and contains the graves of 1126 Commonwealth soldiers who died during WWI (1055 from the UK, 26 from Canada, 7 from Australia, 4 from South Africa and 3 from Newfoundland). In addition 10 British soldiers who died during WWII are buried here.
Events[]
Harelbeke has, since 1958, been the start and finish place of the E3 Harelbeke, a semi classic cycling race held the week before the Tour of Flanders.
Roundabout in Bavikhove decorated with artwork referring to (and sponsored by) the local
Twin towns[]
Kinheim, Germany (1997)
Eenhana, Namibia (2007)
Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic
References[]
- ^ "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Openbaar Kunstbezit Vlaanderen, Stedelijk Museum Peter Benoît (in Dutch)
- ^ Web page describing the cemetery with special remarks on some Australian soldiers who have been buried here (in Dutch)[dead link]
External links[]
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harelbeke. |
- Official website - Available only in Dutch
- all about the town of Hulste - Available only in Dutch
- Harelbeke
- Municipalities of West Flanders