Wordless Wednesday - Manneken Pis, Brussels

The Manneken Pis, the "little boy of Brussels" is one of the city's most precious icons. As you can see from the above picture, this bronze sculpture of a little boy is gleefully doing what a boy's got to do. On certain occasions, the statue is dressed in different costumes from all over the world, accompanied by brass band music. Unfortunately, there were no such events when I visited the sculpture.

There are several legends explaining the history of the statue. I heard two different theories during my visit. The first legend literally explained that a little boy named Julien from Brussels saved the city from enemy explosive attacks by urinating on the burning fuses, pretty much in the same manner he portrays to this day. Another legend told a story where the little boy was the son of a wealthy merchantman who got lost and was found urinating in a small garden at the time. The Belgian nobelman had then showed his gratitude by giving this sculpture as a gift to the locals. What ever the real legend behind this statue, it’s worth checking it out when visiting Brussels.

Enough said, little Julien.... BIG piss !

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