Manneken Pis
Bronze fountain statue of a urinating boy in Brussels.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Manneken Pis is a landmark 55.5 cm bronze fountain sculpture in central Brussels, Belgium, depicting a nude boy urinating into a basin. Its existence is attested as early as the mid-15th century, and it was redesigned by the Brabantine sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in 1619. It is one of the best-known symbols of Brussels and Belgium, inspiring legends, imitations, and similar statues.
- Type
- Bronze fountain sculpture
- Height
- 55.5 cm (21.9 in)
- Location
- Central Brussels, Belgium
- Original design
- Mid-15th century
- Current version installed
- 1619 (by Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder)
- Niche added
- 1770 (blue stone rocaille style)
- Replica displayed since
- 1965
Lore & Background
The earliest mention of Manneken Pis dates from a 1451–52 administrative document about water lines supplying Brussels' fountains. The first statue was replaced with a bronze version commissioned in 1619 by the Brussels City Council, conceived by Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder. It was probably cast and installed in 1620. The statue survived the 1695 bombardment of Brussels undamaged, though pipes were affected. In 1770, the statue was integrated into a blue stone rocaille niche from another dismantled fountain. The figure has been repeatedly stolen or damaged; notably, in 1817 it was stolen by freed convict Antoine Licas, broken into eleven pieces, and restored. In 1965, the statue was broken by a thief, leaving only feet and ankles; the body was later found in the Charleroi Canal. Since 1965, a replica has been displayed on site, with the original stored in the Brussels City Museum.
Reader's Guide
Manneken Pis is a central symbol of Brussels and Belgium, embodying self-derisive belgitude and local folk humour (zwanze). Its wardrobe of around one thousand costumes has been exhibited since 2017 in the GardeRobe MannekenPis museum. The statue's name, meaning 'Little Pissing Man' in Dutch, is official in both French and Dutch. It is sometimes nicknamed Petit Julien or Julianske due to historical confusion with a now-disappeared fountain. The statue has inspired numerous imitations and legends, and its repeated thefts and restorations highlight its enduring cultural importance. Located a five-minute walk from the Grand-Place, it remains a popular landmark.
Did You Know?
- The original statue from 1619 is stored in the Brussels City Museum; a replica has been displayed on site since 1965.
- Manneken Pis has a wardrobe of around one thousand costumes, exhibited since 2017 in the GardeRobe MannekenPis museum.
- The statue was stolen in 1817 by freed convict Antoine Licas, broken into eleven pieces, and later restored.
- In 1965, the statue was broken by a thief; the body was found in the Charleroi Canal and returned to Brussels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Manneken Pis?
It is a small bronze fountain sculpture of a nude boy urinating into a basin, standing just over 55 centimeters tall in the heart of Brussels, Belgium.
Who created the current Manneken Pis?
The bronze figure installed in 1619 was designed by Brabantine sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder, though the urinating-boy concept in Brussels traces back to the mid-1400s.
Where exactly can you find Manneken Pis?
It stands in central Brussels, set within a decorative blue stone rocaille-style niche that was added in 1770.
Why is Manneken Pis so famous?
As one of Brussels' most recognizable landmarks, it has become a beloved symbol of the city and of Belgium itself, inspiring countless legends, imitations, and similar statues in other places.
How old is Manneken Pis?
While the current bronze figure dates to 1619, records confirm a version of the urinating-boy fountain existed in Brussels by the mid-15th century, making the concept nearly 600 years old.
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