Manneken Pis

About

The Manneken Pis is a celebrated bronze fountain sculpture in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. Erected in 1619 by sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder, it depicts a naked boy urinating into a basin and has become an enduring symbol of the city’s wit and spirit. Located at the junction of Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat and Rue de l’Étuve/Stoofstraat, the statue stands in a Rocaille‑style niche and is usually surrounded by souvenir stalls and the pedestrian bridge that carries the street over the Brussels premetro line. Over the centuries the statue has been stolen, vandalised and replaced, and today a replica in the original spot draws crowds. The city manages a dedicated costume museum, the GardeRobe Manneken Pis, nearby, where the statue’s yearly costume changes are on display. Visitors often take hours to stroll, photograph and follow the statue’s changing wardrobe, and the site is a quick, iconic stop that vividly captures Brussels’ playful character.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes