The original 1619 bronze statue is housed inside the Garderobe MannekenPis museum to protect it from environmental damage and theft.
The statue has been stolen multiple times in history, including a notable theft by soldiers in 1745 and again in 1817.
The city maintains a collection of over 1,000 unique costumes for the statue, all of which are cataloged and periodically rotated.
During specific events, the fountain is known to dispense beer or local beverages instead of water.
The statue is officially known as a 'ketje', a Brussels dialect term for a young street urchin.
Its location is at the intersection of Rue de l'Étuve and Rue des Grands Carmes, a site it has occupied since the early 17th century.
Manneken Pis is a 61-centimeter tall bronze fountain sculpture depicting a young boy urinating into the basin. Designed by Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder, the original statue was installed in 1619, though the current figure is a 1965 replica. It serves as a symbol of the Brussels spirit, often characterized by a sense of defiance and humor. The statue is frequently dressed in elaborate costumes to mark public holidays, celebrations, or to support charitable causes. These outfits are managed by the non-profit organization The Friends of Manneken-Pis. The sculpture is housed in a stone niche built into the corner of a building at a street intersection. It remains one of the primary historical and cultural landmarks in the center of the City of Brussels.
Directly in front of the iron railing surrounding the niche at street level.
Visit the nearby Garderobe MannekenPis museum to view the extensive collection of costumes worn by the statue.
Do not spend too long at the statue itself; it is a small feature meant to be viewed briefly while exploring the surrounding historic district.
Combine this visit with a short walk to the nearby Grand Place.
Do not mistake the nearby, less crowded statue of Jeanneke Pis for the original; they are distinct landmarks located in different areas of the city.
