Europe
Belgium
Brussels
Sculpture
Manneken Pis
Name:Mannekin Pis
Creation Date:1619 (current statue)
Commissioned by:The City of Brussels
Sculptor:Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder
Stonemason (Fountain):Daniel Raessens
Height of Statue:61 centimeters (with pedestal)
Height of Statue:55 centimeters (without pedestal)
Material:Bronze
The photo shows the Manneken Pis statue in Brussels, Belgium.

21 Fascinating Facts about Manneken Pis

 

  1. Location: Manneken Pis stands in the heart of Brussels’ old town, just a few steps from the famous Grand-Place. Nearby you can visit the Chocolate Museum, stroll through elegant shopping arcades, or grab a waffle at one of the many stands.
  2. Significance: Manneken Pis is one of Belgium’s oldest fountain figures and, at just 55.5 centimeters tall, world-famous. Alongside the Atomium and the Grand-Place, it is among the city’s most iconic landmarks.
  3. Predecessor statue: As early as the 15th century, Brussels already had a peeing statue, though its exact location remains unknown today. The name “Manneken Pis” first appeared in city records around 1450, confirming its existence.
  4. Origin of the statue: In 1619, sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder created the bronze figure that we see today. Installed at its current spot in 1620, it replaced an older stone version. The playful image of a naked boy urinating perfectly captured the Brussels sense of humor and quickly became a beloved city symbol.
  5. Fountain water: The fountain originally supplied drinking water from one of Brussels’ main springs. In the 17th century, fountains were not only essential for survival but also served as lively meeting places where people filled jugs, washed vegetables, and shared the latest news. They were also crucial for fire safety, often being the only accessible water source in the densely built towns.
  6. Bombardment of 1695: In August 1695, the French army under Marshal de Villeroy bombarded Brussels with thousands of cannonballs and firebombs. For three days the city burned, entire districts were destroyed, and the Grand-Place was almost completely reduced to ashes. The Manneken Pis fountain was also struck, yet the little figure survived unscathed—only the water pipes were damaged.
  7. The theft of 1747: During the War of the Austrian Succession, French soldiers stole the statue and smashed it to pieces. Outraged citizens carefully pieced it back together and returned it to the fountain. To apologize, King Louis XV sent a magnificent court costume along with the Order of Saint Louis.
  8. The theft of 1817: In January 1817, a penniless ex-soldier named Antoine Licas stole the statue, broke it apart, and hid the pieces in his home, hoping to sell the metal. The people of Brussels recovered the fragments, restored the figure, and placed it back on the fountain. Afterwards, a protective grille was added to keep it safe. Licas was sentenced to life at forced labor, later reduced to 20 years in prison.
  9. The theft of 1963: On the night of January 31 to February 1, 1963, Manneken Pis vanished once again. He was soon discovered in Antwerp, badly damaged, with his arms, legs, and head broken off. The city decided it was too risky to leave the statue exposed, and in 1965 a replica replaced it on the fountain. The original has been kept safely in the Brussels City Museum ever since.
  10. Theft of 1965: Only shortly after the new replica was installed, Manneken Pis was stolen again in 1965. The thief turned out to be a former policeman from Antwerp. The statue was soon recovered unharmed, and the city responded by tightening security around the landmark even further.
  11. Sustainability: In 2019, it was discovered that the fountain was wasting up to 2,500 liters of drinking water every day because it wasn’t connected to a closed circuit. After heavy media coverage, the city modified the system. Since then, the little boy has been peeing sustainably.
  12. Costumes: The tradition of dressing Manneken Pis began in 1698, when Bavarian governor Maximilian II Emanuel gave him his first court outfit. Today, his wardrobe includes more than 1,000 costumes, from national dresses and sports jerseys to uniforms, Elvis suits, and even an outfit made entirely of condoms.
  13. The little diplomat: For centuries, Manneken Pis has received costumes from all over the world, often presented as gifts by countries or embassies. These outfits are handed over during formal ceremonies and range from Japanese kimonos and Mexican mariachi suits to Scottish kilts. Japan has been especially generous, donating at least 18 costumes to date.
  14. City commission: To keep the collection in order, a special city commission has managed the wardrobe since 1934. It decides which costumes are accepted and sets the schedule for when Manneken Pis wears each outfit. Religious or purely commercial costumes are excluded.
  15. Museum: Since 2017, the GardeRobe MannekenPis Museum, located near the Grand-Place, has showcased several hundred of his outfits. The displays are accompanied by background information on the origin and significance of the costumes.
  16. Special celebrations: On festive occasions, Manneken Pis is dressed up for the event—whether it’s a national holiday, a sporting triumph, or an international anniversary. These costume changes draw big crowds and are often accompanied by music and small parades. Sometimes the fountain doesn’t pour water but beer or wine, a tradition already recorded in the 17th century. Even today, during the folk festival Meyboom, beer occasionally flows from the statue and is handed out to visitors.
  17. Sister statues: Over the years, Brussels has gained two modern companions for its famous boy. In 1987, restaurateur Denis-Adrien Debouvrie unveiled Jeanneke Pis, a statue of a little girl peeing in an alley of the old town. Seen as the female counterpart to Manneken Pis, she also represents gender equality. In 1998, artist Tom Frantzen added Zinneke Pis, a bronze street dog. Its name means “stray” or “mutt” in the Brussels dialect and symbolizes the city’s diverse, cosmopolitan spirit.
  18. Copies worldwide: One of the best-known replicas of Manneken Pis has stood since 1958 on the platform of Hamamatsuchō Station in Tokyo, where it is dressed regularly just like the original. Brussels has also gifted official replicas over the years as gestures of friendship, for example to Colmar in France and to Montréal in Canada.
  19. Friendly rivalry: The Flemish town of Geraardsbergen also claims a Manneken Pis, a stone statue first documented in 1459. Brussels, however, points to an even earlier version mentioned around 1450, though little is known about it today. This has led to a good-natured rivalry, with both cities playfully insisting they own the “real” Manneken Pis.
  20. Famous legend: According to one legend, a boy named Julian once saved Brussels from disaster. Enemy soldiers had placed gunpowder under the city walls. When he spotted the burning fuse, he urinated on it and put out the flame, preventing an explosion and saving the city.
  21. Origin of the name: The name “Manneken Pis” comes from the Brabant dialect and literally translates as “the little peeing man.”
  • The photo shows the Manneken Pis statue in Brussels, Belgium.
  • The photo shows Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue in Brussels, Belgium.
  • The Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium, is shown as a bronze fountain statue wearing a costume.
  • The Manneken Pis statue in Brussels Belgium wears an American themed outfit and a Yes we can hat.
  • Manneken Pis in Brussels is dressed in an Obelix costume.
  • The image shows Manneken Pis, the famous bronze statue and landmark in Brussels, Belgium.