Manneken-Pis in all his guises

When visiting the centre of Brussels, whether you’re a resident of Brussels or a tourist, a visit to Manneken-Pis is a must! The statuette is known throughout the world and the subject of numerous copies, imitations, reproductions and alternative depictions.

 

Delight in this imaginative experience and discover the anecdotes which contribute to the fame of this small statue.

©Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles
©Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles

Did you know ?

1
Manneken-Pis measures 55.5 cm and weighs 20 kg.
2
The first mention of a fountain called Manneken-Pis dates back to 1451.
3
The statue was last stolen in 1965. Ever since, the original statue has been kept at the Brussels City Museum.
4
Since 1945, a new sewing pattern has been used to make the various outfits.
5
The oldest outfit in the collection was offered by Louis XV, King of France, in 1747.
6
After Belgium, the countries most represented in the collection are France, Spain and Italy.
7
The 1,000th outfit was offered to Manneken-Pis by the Atomium to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Expo 58.
8
1755, the first known naming of a dresser for Manneken-Pis. His name is Henri Wauters.
9
To donate an outfit, you must send an official request to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Brussels.
10
The earliest evidence of a Manneken-Pis dressing dates back to 1616.
11
In 1619, the City commissioned the artist Jérôme Duquesnoy to cast a new sculpture of Manneken-Pis

Discover the original statue

The original statue of Manneken-Pis is in safe keeping at the Brussels City Museum on the Grand-Place.

 

In 1965, the sculpture was stolen once again. It was discovered a year later in the Brussels-Charleroi canal. Consequently, the City of Brussels decided to place the original statue in the museum.

A replica statue was placed at the fountain

More info
©Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles