If you want a souvenir from Brussels and Belgium there are two favorite objects; Atomium and Manneken Pis. The Manneken Pis portrays a little boy peeing, and the original version of the statue was built in 1388. The present statue was built in 1619, and on the corner of Rue de l’Etuve and Rue des Grands Carmes visitors can see and enjoy the sight of this cute little boy peeing from morning till evening.
What many people do not know is that due to many attempts of stealing the statue, the present statue is only a copy of the 1619-version. The real one can be found inside the Maison du Roi/Breadhouse at the main square in Brussels.
Several legends are connected to the statue. One claim that the boy once stopped a large fire by peeing at it, while another speaks of a rich man not being able to find his son in Brussels. When he finally found him the boy was peeing at a street corner, and in his joy of finding the boy, he erected the statue as we see it today.
Manneken Pis is often dressed up in different costumes in support of different political actions, heroes or similar happenings. Must be seen while in Brussels!
Manneken Pis pictures
