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A short history of Manneken Pis
No one could be ignorant of the fact that on the corner of the Rue du Chêne and the Rue de l'Etuve in Brussels there stands a small statue, known the world over, of a little boy, Manneken-Pis, Brussels' oldest citizen.
He has become a mascot who brings good luck. His roguish, insouciant, naughty appearance symbolises completely the mocking and humorous character of the people of Brussels.
From his pedestal with a smile on his face he receives the tourists for whom he is more often than not a subject of curiosity, that makes them laugh and jeer.
So many forget, due to ignorance or indifference, that he followed closely the history of our good city and that he was at the same time subjected to it. There are several legends about his arrival that perhaps throw some light on his creation, his raison d'être and his work.
Six centuries ago Manneken-Pis was better known as "Julianekensborre", little Julian's fountain. It was mentioned as early as 1377 in the archives of the Collegial Church of Saint-Michel and St. Gudula. Fountains were important in the city: for the great majority of the city dwellers they were the only sources of drinking water.
In 1619 the magistrature of Brussels placed an order with Jerôme Dusquesnoy for a small statue in bronze to replace the stone statue of little Julian.
Between 13 and 15 August 1695 during the terrible bombardement of our city by Maréchal De Villeroy, the statue was put out of harm's way but on 16 August 1695 Manneken Pis was put back on his pedestal which was replaced in 1770 with the big stone niche that we still see there today.
On 1 May 1698 Manneken-Pis received his first suit, a gift of the Elector of Bavaria. In 1745 he was kidnapped for the first time, by English soldiers. In 1747: Louis XV offered him a formal court dress and elevated him into the ranks of nobility. From then on he was allowed to carry a sabre and the King's soldiers passing by were obliged to salute him like any other French officer.
It would be an impossible task to describe in a few lines all the suits he has received because he has a wardrobe of more than 930* suits received from the four corners of the world.
Let's not forget there are replicas of our Manneken on the five continents, and that there are at least fifteen legends about his existence as well as poems and songs.
He was kidnapped and damaged many times by vandals, but the little fellow always managed to come back and each time with a taunting smile on his face he again took up his act of the free, joyous and rebellious citizen. Manneken-Pis is close to the heart of every man, woman and child of Brussels.
He is the symbol for their freedom, independance, rebelliousness, insouciance
and good humour.
Adapted from an article by Maurice DEMAN, former President of the Order of the Friends of Manneken-Pis.
* Now Manneken Pis has 1107 suits in his wardrobe.
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Our Manneken-Pis homepage (in English)
Liste des costumes de Manneken Pis
Documents concernant Manneken-Pis et l'Ordre de ses amis
Le site officiel de l'Ordre des Amis de Manneken Pis
About Brussels folklore
Most recent update : 05-12-2021