One of the most iconic statues is the Manneken Pis in Brussels. You have to know it.. You know.. The fountain of the little boy peeing ????
The incredible amount of tacky tasteless merchendising that surrounds it is embarrassing and for the most just plain disturbing.
Regardless as to when you go, crowds mill about it, with endless tourist groups shoving thier way to get close to the railings.
I've got to say, its one of the most over rated underwhelming tourist attractions, only just being beaten by the Mona Lisa.
Tiny... Dark... And wierd.
Today when we visited, it was dressed in football regalia. Apparently its dressers are so busy now, it has a schedual of costumes you can refer to and can visit its wardrobe in a museum - which has hundreds of outfits.. I know.. Disturbing.
So.. Here he is in all his tiny glory..
The Statue has origins from the 13 th century, though the one on display is from the mid 1900s.. Apparently, strangely, people keep stealing it..
There are a number of myths about its origins which mostly involve a small boy getting lost and then being found by townsfolk peeing in the corner of a street. One involves the boy saving the town by peeing on the fuse line of a set of explosives.
Anyway - you can decide for yourself which story best suits truth.. probably none of them.
In the early 90s this statute was commissioned to raise awareness for cervical cancer. Its called Janneke Pis, and for security reasons.. she hides behind a metal cage. I've heard there is a dog pissing fountain too, but my map wasn't picking it up on my phone, so we didn't pursue it.
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