Harelbeke

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.

Harelbeke

(West Flemish: Oarlbeke)
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Harelbeke
Location in Belgium
Location of Harelbeke in West-Flanders
Coordinates: 50°51′N 03°18′E
CountryBelgium
CommunityFlemish Community
RegionFlemish Region
ProvinceWest Flanders
ArrondissementKortrijk
Government
 • MayorAlain Top (sp.a-Groen)
 • Governing party/iessp.a-Groen, N-VA, Open Vld
Area
 • Total29.14 km2 (11.25 sq mi)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[1]
 • Total27,886
 • Density960/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Postal codes
8530, 8531
Area codes056
Websitewww.harelbeke.be

In Harelbeke a museum remembers the life and work of musician and composer Peter Benoit, called the Stedelijk Museum "Peter Benoit".[2]

Famous natives

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 Bavik Brewery

Twin towns

References
  1. "Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. Openbaar Kunstbezit Vlaanderen, Stedelijk Museum Peter Benoît (in Dutch)
  3. Web page describing the cemetery with special remarks on some Australian soldiers who have been buried here (in Dutch)
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