In Brussels: Manneken Pis

The Manneken Pis

While in Brussels there are several extremely touristy things one must do.  You have to eat mussels, drink beer, and savor the chocolate.  It is also mandatory to see the Manneken Pis.  This well visited icon is a bronze statue of a little boy.... ummm... relieving himself.

According to wikipedia, the statue was created in 1619.  The statue has been stolen many times so the city of Brussels now keeps the original in a museum.  A copy, made in 1965, currently stands in the  fountain.  There are various legends as to the story behind the Manneken Pis.  Wikipedia lists several that might be worth checking out if you are interested in learning more.  All of the stories involve a little boy urinating, of course.

It is tradition for the city of Brussels to dress the statue in a variety of costumes.  His clothes are changed several times a week.  He was wearing a jaunty red coat, a black hat with gold tassels, and holding a trombone when we saw him.  There was a green and red sash with an embroidered badge draped over his shoulder.  Matching flowers decorated the fountain below him.

This tiny tot is the mascot of Brussels.  His image can be found advertising multiple products.  He is emblazoned on t-shirts, mugs, and bags in all the tourist shops.  You can even buy little reproductions to sit on your mantle.

A woman poses with a human-sized, waffle-eating Manneken Pis.

Some mannekens doing their thing on a display of chocolates.

He even endorses beer!

Tourists line up to have their picture taken in front of the statue, laughing while doing so.  There is an air of frivolity and lightheartedness that doesn't happen very often with European statuary.  Manneken Pis is not about a famous king or military hero.  There is not a whiff of seriousness about it.  It is just a statue representing basic bodily functions.  It is nice to be reminded, when it is all said and done, that we are just people, doing what people do.