Yes, that statue is doing what you think it’s doing. The educated know that Brussels, Belgium is the center of the European Union. The slightly irreverent (which would include myself), know that Brussels is the location of the famed Manneken Pis Statue.
I’m a sucker for kitsch. If you have a landmark in your hometown that is well-known, tacky and very touristy, chances are you’ll find me there when I’m in town. Yes I do go visit the more “cultured” attractions a city has to offer, but there is something very fun about seeing, in this case, Jerome Duquesnoy (the name of the statue) taking a leak for travelers from around the globe.
Brussels is boring. It’s a political city, which means that it is full of bureaucrats and politicians – the antithesis of fun people. This statue is exactly what Brussels needs to liven up the place.
I found myself in Brussels en route to Amsterdam via Paris. Brian and I had a few hours to kill in between. So we searched for this iconic of landmarks.
We encountered some difficulty locating the statue because the map we had wasn’t so great. But after wandering for a bit we encountered Manneken Pis. Now before you start thinking that this is a gross and inappropriate statue, consider this. Countries from around the world send the statue cultural costumes to wear. These costumes are rotated on an ongoing basis. If memory serves me well, the photo from above has a Norwegian Costume. When not being worn, the costumes are housed in a nearby museum. We didn’t have time to check it out. This is probably Belgium’s most famous tourist attraction, seriously.
Besides Jerome, there isn’t much to see here really. After you fight through the mob of people to get your photo of the statue peeing on you, you leave.
Before leaving, I purchased a small statue for my brother and for myself. We both have the same sense of potty humor. In fact, all through the street corner you can find various items such as statues, ash trays, playing cards, thimbles and spoons of this urinating child.
The statue does have a history to it. Several tales tell of a battle between two armies that, depending on the version, end up with a boy peeing on the opposing army or burning fuse and saving the day. It is thought that the real reason the statue was created came from a legend of a mother who found her lost child peeing in a street corner to the relief of the townspeople (and I’m sure the child). It’s quintessentially European, what can I say? Or should I say, Europeein’ ? Hahahahaha
Afterwards we went on a scouting mission to find Jeanneke Pis. While Manneken Pis was constructed in 1619, someone thought there should be equal time for equal sexes. Built in 1987, Jeanneke Pis is located down a narrow, dark alley behind a cage. It’s the kind of setting found in movies, just before the main characters are attacked. Even though we went during the day, it was creepy.
Poor Jeanneke Pis is in a rather compromising pose. While most are familiar with the peeing boy, many less know about his younger sister – and for good reason.
Europe is full of irreverent, shocking and fun tourist sites. What’s the most irreverant tourist site you’ve ever encountered? Comment below. And when you’re done, become a fan on facebook here.
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