Manneken Pis
Brussels
The Manneken Pis is a small fountain with the statue of a little boy. It stands on the corner of rue de l'Etuve and rue du Chêne. It is the best-known symbol of Brussels.
A fountain for drinking
As early as the mid-1400s, documents mention this fountain. It was part of the network that brought drinking water into the city. Neighbours came here to fill their jugs. Only in the 1800s did water reach people's homes, and the fountain became above all a symbol.
The bronze statue
In 1619 the city asked a sculptor for a new bronze statue. The statue on the fountain is a copy: the original is in the City Museum, not far away.
A record-breaking wardrobe
The first outfit mentioned in documents dates from the 1600s, but it has been lost. Since then, a great many have arrived from all over the world. They are displayed in a small museum on the same street.
The legends
Some tell of a lost boy who was found again. Others tell of a cheeky lad who played tricks on everyone. No story is certain, but each one adds something to his cheerful character. Locals treat him like a real fellow citizen: they dress him, celebrate him and call him by name.
