Wakken

This article is about the Belgian town formerly known as Wacken. For the similarly named German town, famous for its open air concert, see Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein.

Wakken
Deelgemeente
Coordinates: 50°55′49″N 3°23′55″E
Country	Belgium
Province	West Flanders
Municipality	Dentergem
Area
• Total	5.36 km2 (2.07 sq mi)
Highest elevation	18 m (59 ft)
Lowest elevation	16 m (52 ft)
Population  (2006)
• Total	2,801
• Density	523/km2 (1,350/sq mi)
	Source: NIS
Postal code	8720

Wakken is a village and deelgemeente in Dentergem municipality, in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The village is located near the confluence of the rivers Lys and Mandel.

History

Wakken is one of the seven oldest parishes in West Flanders. A charter dated to 791 makes the first known mention of Wakken: "in villa noncupante Wackinio." The spelling of the name has changed several times throughout history: Wackine (870), Wackinna (1010), Wachines (1183), Wackene (1351), Wacken (1467) and Wakken (since 1915).

In the Middle Ages, Wakken was a city without city gates. The fiefdom was owned by the Lords of Harelbeke.

Antoine, bastard-son of Philip the Good, made the court of Wackene to his residence in 1480. His son, Antoine II, married the daughter of Andries Andriessen, knight and Lord of Wackene. Their son Adolf of Burgundy became Governor of Zeeland, Vice Admiral of Flanders and special envoy of Philip II of Spain.

The fiefdom Wackene became a barony in 1614 and a county in 1626. It had its own arrondissement until 1823, when it became part of the arrondissement of Tielt.

Notable citizens

• Joris Van Severen, founder and leader of Verdinaso
• Jodocus Hondius, cartographer, publisher and humanist
• Luc Verbeke, Flemish poet, author, flamingant, co-founder of the Committee for French Flanders
• Hugo Verriest, Flemish priest, author and flamingant
• Modest Huys, painter
• Maurice Meersman, cyclist