Upon arrival in Brussels the first attraction you are shown
is definitely the Manneken Pis (little pee man in Flemish). Located close to
the Grand Place on rue
de l’Etuve 31 (Lievevrouwbroersstraat 31, 1000 Brussels, Belgium) he stands at
just 61cm (24 inches). The peeing boy is a tiny bronze fountain statue. One
would not normally call this art piece ‘majestic’, but the locals have so many
stories and ways of celebrating festivals with the little peeing boy that even
the toughest critic would leave with fondness for the bronze doll.
Stories of Manneken
Pis
Many great legends bring this little statue to life in the
hearts of visitors, and the question is why was this statue erected? One story
tells of a tourist father who lost his son in the city and after receiving help
from villagers to find the boy, he gifted this statue to them. Another, more
daring, tale is one where the boy was a spy during a siege of the city. He
literally put out a ploy to bomb the city by urinating on the explosives! Many
stories such as this have given the Mannekin Pis a firm place in Brussels’
city-life but none would compete with its present-day glory.
Celebrations with the
Manneken Pis
The people of Brussels don’t simply look upon the cute
statuette and show it to tourists. The Manneken Pis plays a full part in the
city’s annual calendar and even has an outfit for every occasion. Manneken Pis’
wardrobe ranges from Santa suits to national costumes from countries around the
world. The most recent addition is a red leather Chinese costume presented by
the city of Haining, China. On special occasions, brass-bands would play and
Manneken Pis would be hooked up to different flavours of Belgian beer, which is poured
from his fountain tip and given out to the public. With such love and care for
the Manneken, who needs Big Ben?
In the 80s another statue was built called Jeanneke Pis to
give Manneken Pis a playmate. This other statue is a little girl fountain, but
she is lesser known and hides in an alleyway a short distance away from
Mannekin Pis.
Location in Brussels
The Mannekin Pis is located southwest of the Town Hall. If you are at the Grand Place facing the
Town Hall take the exit on the left, the Mannekin Pis is two blocks behind the
Town Hall. Alternatively, you can walk from one of the metro stations below.
brussels.info
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