The Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis is a Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain’s basin.

Also known as the “Ketje de Bruxelles”, the “little boy of Brussels” is one of the city’s most cherished figures. Tourists and Belgians come to visit and laugh at this statue, which is often dressed in one of its costumes (the impressive wardrobe is on display at the “Maison du Roi/King’s House” on the Grand’Place).

Numerous legends have sprung up around this symbolic Brussels figure. The most commonly heard is the one that, by answering his famous call of nature, he reputedly extinguished the burning fuse of a bomb destined for the Grand’Place. In reality, this charming little fountain was put in place during the reign of Archiduke Albert and Archiduchess Isabelle to supply drinking water to the neighbourhood.

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