Manneken Pis the hero of Brussels
Manneken Pis is with its 58 cm one of the smallest and most visited tourist attractions in the world. The little peeing boy has become the symbol of the city of Brussels. The statue represents the Brussels carelessness, but also the resistance of the Belgian people.
The Manneken Pis statue was at first a fountain that played an essential role in the former distribution of drinking water in the 15th century. The system of public drinking fountains was well-known all over Europe at that time.
Now during big events, the city of Brussels adorn him with luxurious clothes. In the 18th century, Manneken-Pis was dressed at least 4 times a year. Since he lost his main function in the network of water conveyance of the City in the 19th century, Manneken-Pis gradually became an image and symbol of the Brussels folklore, the joy of the inhabitants and their capacity of self-mockery. On some occasions they even let him pee beer.
The statue is located at the junction of Rue de l'Étuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat. To find it, take the left lane next to the Brussels Town Hall from the famous Grand Place and walk a few hundred metres southwest via Rue Charles Buls/Karel Bulsstraat.