Sunday 8 April 2012

“Manneken Pis” in Brussels or the boy who saved the city by peeing

The most famous statue in Brussels is only 58cm high. You can find it at the corner of the Eikstraat near the Main Square. The statue displays a boy who pees into a fountain. It is one of the symbols of Brussels since the 14th century and in French it is called “Petit Julein”. On these pictures, you see “Manneken Pis” naked but several times a year he gets dressed up depending on the festivity that takes place in the city. The statue is so famous and receives this tribute because they think a little boy saved the city by peeing on a wick and extinguishing the fire. The shops in this street sell many Belgium products like waffles, chocolate and candy. Some shops display “Manneken Pis” in all types of colours and delights.

Het meest beroemde standbeeld in Brussel is slechts 58cm groot. Je vind het op de hoek van de Eikstraat dicht bij de grote markt. Het is een jongetje die in een fontein plast. Dit is een symbool van Brussel sinds de 14de eeuw en de Franstaligen noemen het “Petit Julein”. Op de foto’s zie je een naakte “Manneken Pis”, maar gedurende festiviteiten wordt hij door de Brusselaars aangekleed. Het standbeeld is zo beroemd daar men denkt dat het kleine jongetje een brandend lont heeft gedoofd door er op te plassen en zo de stad te redden. Vele winkels in deze straat verkopen Belgische producten zoals chocolade, wafels en snoep. Sommige kleurrijke lekkernijen zijn in de vorm van “Manneken Pis”..

Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
Previous Brussels article: The Grasmarkt in Brussels with Belgium beer and fries

Previous Statue article: The museum of Ephesus with the statue of Artemis

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23 comments:

  1. “Manneken Pis” is so famous I knew him and the related story when I was a small kid.

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  2. Hahaha those who doesn't know the story look at the statute and felt that its obscene xD

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  3. that is always think about or seek details about the background of anything before jumping into conclusions...

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  4. Wonderful photos from this little man. Beautiful photos from Brussel too.
    Happy Easter to you ! Kind regards, Synnöve

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  5. hey thanks for the explanation why he is peeing...I never knew this story:-)happy easter-weekend!

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  6. Good to know the story, why. The last photo is hilarious.

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  7. Adorable baby sculpture, funny icon! Hmmm ice cream and chocolate!
    Happy Easter dear friends,
    hugs
    Léia

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  8. O wat ziet dit er allemaal super uit!
    België en Chocola zo verleidelijk en al dat ijs.
    Fijne paasdagen, groetjes Cristien.

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  9. What a strange and odd thing! All the different colored ones, I guess people buy them to pit in their yards, too. I don't think that big waffle looks so appetizing with the boy peeing right beside it...

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  10. Klein maar dapper, Filip...
    Lie(f)s.

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  11. It is always surprising to see how little statue of that little boy is in reality.
    Very nice photos.
    Happy Easter!

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  12. Smile :-)) Little boy very big!
    Happy Easter
    Love the waffles

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  13. Very funny ... I think a "Manneken Pis" vanilla would be very tasty.
    Happy Easter!

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  14. Thank you for your visit to my blog. I am now following you - this is a very amusing first piece, I look forward to seeing more.

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  15. I find all of those statues for sale to be a little tacky. But I guess every city has got to be famous for something!

    PS: My husband and I have status with Delta airlines and KLM is part of the Sky Team alliance. They have a very good connection from Toronto to Amsterdam and from there it's not far to Berlin. There are no direct flights from Canada to Berlin as the airports there are small and not yet equipped for the larger planes. Hopefully that will change when the new airport opens this summer. But I still like flying KLM!

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  16. very cute filip. are the last ones eatable?

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  17. I definitely don't want that statue in my garden!

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  18. Bekende foto's van Brussel, maar altijd weer gezellig om die te zien. Groetjes, Dietmut

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  19. is dit wat ons wereldberoemd maakt ?

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  20. I love this story! Great photos!

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  21. That's a lot of pee. :) I like the colorful line up of statues.

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  22. Interesting, I have to read more about the peeing boy !

    The waffle looks so delicious !!!

    Aligaga

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