Manneken Pis
While the ‘Manneken-Pis’ is definitely the smallest inhabitant of Brussels, he is however, very easy to find. Even when trying to avoid him you’ll inevitably find yourself nose to nose with the statue. It lies on the courner of I’Etuve Street and Chêne Street and the ‘Manneken-Pis’ can be found on show every day. Did you know that this little man of 55 centimetres has an official dress? Indeed, a person is even in charge of regularly changing it - choosing between over 600 costumes!
It’s not surprising that the ‘Manneken-Pis’ has so many costumes when you learn that the hosts of the city have to give him one. The first who initiated this custom was Maximilien de Bavière, governor of the Spanish Netherlands, in 1698. For those who are curious, head to the museum of the city of Brussels in the King’s House. Here you will find the whole wardrobe of the ‘Manneken-Pis’.
We owe this bronze statue to the great Belgium sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy in 1619. Very quickly, the statue became the symbol of the town. Before its arrival, the fountain of Petit-Julien welcomed women who came to collect water here.
In re-joining Bouchers street, you will have the chance to see his companion: ‘Jeanneke-Pis’, hidden in the impasse of the ‘Fidélité’. Next, continuing your walk in the quarter of Saint-Catherine, you’ll discover the dog or ‘Zinneke-Pis’ located precisely on the courner of Chartreux Street and Vieux-Marché aux Grains Street.
