Manneken Pis

The Manneken Pis is a statue located in the historic center of Brussels, made of bronze and approximately 50 centimeters tall, symbolizing a child urinating into the fountain's basin. Along with the Atomium and the Grand Place, it is one of the symbols of the Belgian capital and one of its most visited tourist attractions. It receives special attention for its symbolism of the independent character of its citizens.

In the mid-15th century, a similar statue made entirely of stone was located in the same place, possibly since the 14th century, and was stolen several times. In the 17th century, it was replaced by a bronze figure made by the Baroque sculptor Duquesnoy the Elder, who placed it on a pedestal with six pillars carved by Daniel Raessens. It was later replaced by the current Rococo-style fountain in the 18th century. The inhabitants of Brussels took care of the figure during the siege and attack on the capital by France in the 17th century. A famous phrase was then engraved under the statue: In petra exaltavit me, et nunc exaltavi caput meum super inimicos meos "The Lord raised me up on a rock, and now I lift my head above my enemies." The current figure is a copy, as the original statue was stolen in the 1960s and later recovered. The original figure is housed alongside a reproduction in gilded bronze from the 17th century, in the Museum of the City of Brussels.