Online-Card - Brakel

The Hansetown of Brakel lies between the Egge range and the river Weser in the mountainous Brakeler Highlands. Even today the historical town cen-tre reflects the former economic heyday in the Middle Age, when Brakel`s membership of the Hanseatic League and its long-distance trade secured her a place amongst the most important communities in the Principality of Paderborn. The oldest buildings, for example the St. Michael Church, date back to the 12th century and the present-day lay-out of the central streets has its origin in the medieval trade routes. You will find additional informa-tion on Brakel and its historical development on Brakel´s homepage.

Today Brakel is a prosperous town, surrounded by lively villages. Produc-tive agriculture domineers in the “Brakel Basin” and natural forestry is char-acteristic of the mountainous area. Brakel, an official air health resort, with Bökendorf, an exemplary cultural village, and Bellersen, an exemplary tour-istic village, offer a wide spectrum of cultural, sporting and spare time activi-ties. The landscape is characterised by its attractive valleys and gently ris-ing hills. There is a special site for mobile homes, a network of hiking and cycling trails, an open air stage, a town-museum etc.. Brakel`s historical town centre with its attractive and with its quieter zones offers a place of genuine communication for every age group.

Brakel is a dynamic community with a rising number of inhabitants and new jobs. There are major industrial firms famous for their metal, wood and plas-tic products. Additionally the economic scene is characterized by several smaller and medium-sized businesses of trade and skilled handicraft. Brakel offers a number of regional offices and institutions and a well-developed school-system in the very heart of the county Höxter.

Brakel is a grounder member of the Westphalian Hanse League.