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Manneken Pis

Brussels' Oldest and Best Known Citizen

The Manneken Pis is known as the oldest citizen of Brussels because, according to legend, he doused the fuse that was about to detonate an explosive by peeing. The statue of the peeing boy is located on the corner south of the Grand Place in Brussels, and on celebrations and special days, the boy is dressed in a specially tailored costume.

Even for those who have never been to Brussels, most of them have heard the legend of a brave and clever boy named Julien, who saved the entire city by dousing the fuse that was about to detonate the explosives by urinating. The peeing boy was then known as The Oldest Citizen of Brussels.

The statue of the Manneken Pis (The Peeing Boy or Little Pissing Man) is located at the junction of Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat and the pedestrian Rue de l’Étuve/Stoofstraat in Brussels, and the little naked boy continues to pee into the pool throughout the year. Because The Statue is Only 61 cm Tall and its humble location, it can be easily missed if you are not looking carefully when passing by.

Manywhere Tips:
Manneken Pis and Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid are two of Europe’s biggest I-came-all-this-way-to-see-this? attractions.

Manneken Pis in Traditional Chinese Costume

Whenever there is a holiday celebration or special event, the Manneken Pis is dressed in special custom-made costumes such as Christmas costumes or Chinese costumes. It is said that the gift of a commemorative set of Manneken Pis costumes has become an essential ritual for VIPs visiting Belgium. There are now more than a thousand costumes, many of which are on display in the City Museum in Brussels at the Grand Place.