Manneken Pis – Brussels’ smallest superstar

Alongside the famous Atomium, the Manneken Pis is certainly the most famous sight in Brussels. But is it really worth visiting the little pipsqueak?

We wander through the streets of the old town with the aim of visiting the Manneken Pis. The closer we get to the crossroads, the more crowded the street becomes. Eventually our movement comes to a halt and we are just before the crossroads that our map indicates as the location. We stop, just like countless other tourists, and I see nothing…

I slowly push my way closer, walking around larger groups of people, until I finally almost reach the crossroads. Now I can finally make out a tiny little figure. The Manneken Pis really is so small that I would certainly have walked past if there hadn’t been so much going on.

All right, he is cute if you look at him a little more closely. But what makes it so special that it is one of the city’s top sights?

When was the Manneken Pis created?

As is so often the case with old landmarks, the exact history of the Manneken Pis is shrouded in mystery.

As early as 1388, there was a fountain with a stone statue called Julianekensborre on the corner of Stoof and Eikstraat. As neither pictures nor the statue exist today, it is not known for certain whether it was already a urinating figure at that time. The name “Manneken Pis” first appeared in texts in the Brussels city archives around 1450. Historians assume that the first fountain figure was originally one of the many public water points in Brussels that supplied the population with drinking water. The idea of using a urinating figure as a gargoyle was not unique at the time; similar sculptures also existed in other European cities.

The bronze statue we know today was created in 1619 by the Brussels sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder. Duquesnoy’s work was an immediate success and established the iconic pose we know today. The figure stands on the corner of Rue de l’Étuve and Rue du Chêne.

From a simple fountain to a national symbol

Over the centuries, the Manneken Pis has had a varied history. It has been stolen, damaged and restored several times. The repeated thefts in particular led to the figure being perceived as indomitable and resilient. Each of these incidents cemented its status as an unshakeable symbol of Brussels.

The current statue is a copy from 1965; the original is said to be in the Maison du Roi merchant’s house.

From a simple gargoyle, Manneken Pis evolved into a beloved landmark that embodies the city’s unique blend of humor, defiance and joie de vivre.

The most famous legends

What has made Manneken Pis truly immortal, however, are the numerous legends surrounding its creation. They give the little statue a soul and explain why it is so much more to the people of Brussels than just a piece of bronze.

The hero of Roncesvalles

This is the most popular and dramatic legend. It tells of a young boy named Julian who became a hero during a siege of Brussels by enemy troops.

The enemy had set a burning fuse on the city walls to blow them up. Legend has it that little Julian saw this while he was urinating. He had the presence of mind to use his urine stream to extinguish the fuse and save the city from destruction.

This statue was dedicated to him in gratitude and in memory of his heroic deed.

The lost child

Another, less heroic but equally touching legend has it that a wealthy merchant lost his young son in the busy streets of Brussels. After days of desperate searching, he finally found the boy in the exact spot where the Manneken Pis stands today – urinating.

Out of sheer joy and gratitude at finding his child again, the merchant had a statue erected on this spot to commemorate the moment of reunion.

The cursed child

Another legend tells of a little boy who did his business in front of a witch’s door.

The witch was furious and cursed the little boy. As punishment, he was to continue his indecent urination forever and ever.

A good man, who had seen everything, replaced the little boy with a statue to save him from eternal urination.

The phenomenon of costumes

Manneken Pis is regularly dressed in new costumes. When we were there, it was wearing a T-shirt in the colors of the German flag and a European flag.

The tradition of dressing Manneken Pis

The tradition of dressing the Manneken Pis dates back to the 17th century. The first known dressing took place in 1698, when Elector Maximilian II. Emanuel of Bavaria, governor of the Spanish Netherlands, presented the Manneken with a blue robe. Since then, this gesture has become a permanent institution. It is an honour to present Manneken Pis with a costume, and many heads of state, international organizations and professional associations have claimed this honour. Each costume is a sign of friendship, recognition or celebration of a special occasion.

Examples of the variety and creativity of over 1000 costumes

There are now over 1000 different costumes. Such as items of clothing that dress the character in famous personalities, a professional group or to match a nation.

Here are some of the costumes:

• Famous personalities: Elvis Presley, Mozart, Nelson Mandela
• Professions: Fireman, doctor, baker, policeman
• National costumes: From all over the world
• Athletes: footballer, cyclist, judoka
• Fantasy figures: Astronaut, Santa Claus, little devil, comic heroes
• Historical figures: Napoleon, Charlemagne
• Occasion-related costumes: for Christmas, Halloween, carnival or national holidays

Each costume is tailor-made and made with great care. The selection of costumes is not arbitrary; it follows a strict calendar managed by the “Ordre des Amis de Manneken Pis” (Order of Friends of Manneken Pis).

How and when are the costumes changed?

The costume change of Manneken Pis is an event that is often accompanied by a small ceremony. The dates for the costume changes are set in advance and can be viewed on the official website of the City of Brussels. This naturally attracts many visitors.

The ceremony usually begins with members of the “Ordre des Amis de Manneken Pis” and often a band marching to the fountain. The old costume is taken off and the new one put on.

After the costumes have been worn, they are not simply thrown away. The impressive collection is kept in the Museum of the City of Brussels (Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles). Part of it can be visited.

Is a visit to Manneken Pis worthwhile?

The little guy is really cute. From the pictures I had seen, he was much bigger in my imagination. So it was very surprising how small the figure is.

However, I don’t really understand why there’s so much hype about it. It’s just a fountain, like many others. In my opinion, it’s not worth going to Brussels just for it. But I would always go there when strolling through the old town, if only to check out the latest fashions.

Visitor information

Address

Ecke Rue de l’Étuve / Rue des Grands Carmes,
1000 Brüssel

Places of interest nearby

• Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles (the Manneken Pis wardrobe is on display here)
  Address: Grand Place, 1000 Brussels (in the Maison du Roi / Broodhuis)
  Opening hours:
  Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
  Closed on Mondays.
  Closed: January 1, May 1, November 1, November 11, December 25.
  Admission price:
  Adults: €10.00
• Grand-Place