The tiny bronze fountain statue (a 1619 design, current statue a 1965 copy) with a wardrobe of 1,000+ costumes. The Garderobe MannekenPis museum at Rue du Chêne 19 shows the outfits.
Manneken Pis is a small bronze fountain figure of a urinating boy, standing at the corner of Rue de l'Etuve and Rue du Chêne, a few minutes' walk south of the Grand Place in the historic centre of Brussels, Belgium. The statue measures only about 55 centimetres and sits in a niche above a stone basin behind iron railings. The design dates to 1619, attributed to the sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder, and the statue seen today is a copy from 1965, with the original kept in the Brussels City Museum on the Grand Place. The figure is best known for its wardrobe: it is dressed on dozens of occasions each year in costumes from national, folk, military and charitable groups, and the collection now exceeds one thousand outfits. A dressing calendar is published on the Brussels City website, and a change of costume is often accompanied by a small ceremony or music. The outfits are displayed in the GardeRobe MannekenPis museum at Rue du Chêne 19, a short walk from the statue, which charges a modest admission fee. Visitors usually spend 10 to 15 minutes at the statue itself, long enough for photographs and to compare it with the nearby Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis statues, which form a light-hearted walking trail. The statue is on a busy corner lined with waffle and chocolate shops, so the pavement is crowded by midday, particularly in summer and on weekends. Early morning, before the shops open, gives the quietest conditions. On costume days the crowd is larger but the figure is more interesting. Viewing is free at any hour from the street, and the Metro or premetro to Bourse brings visitors within a few minutes' walk.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Always viewable from the street |
| Typical visit | 10-15 minutes |
| Best time | On costume days (see the Brussels City website calendar) or early morning |
| Getting there | 5-minute walk from Grand Place; premetro to Bourse |
| Address | Rue de l'Etuve / Rue du Chêne, 1000 Brussels |
Location
Rue de l'Etuve / Rue du Chêne, 1000 Brussels
50.8450, 4.3499 View on map
Highlights
- Bronze 1619 design in its fountain niche
- Wardrobe of more than 1,000 costumes
- GardeRobe MannekenPis museum at Rue du Chêne 19
- Walking trail linking Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis
Tips for visiting
- Check the Brussels City costume calendar to see the statue in an outfit.
- Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds at the corner.
- Remember it is small; the original is in the City Museum on the Grand Place.
- Combine with the GardeRobe museum for the full costume collection.
- Be alert for pickpockets in the crowd.
When to visit
Early morning for a quiet corner, or on costume days listed in the city calendar.
Accessibility
The statue is viewed from a flat pavement with step-free access, though the area can be crowded and the street is cobbled in places. The GardeRobe museum should be contacted for details about its entrance.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Manneken Pis take?
The statue can be seen in 10 to 15 minutes. Adding the GardeRobe museum extends the visit by roughly 30 minutes.
Is it the original statue?
No. The statue on the street is a 1965 copy of the 1619 design, and the original is preserved in the Brussels City Museum.
Is Manneken Pis free to see?
Yes. The statue can be viewed from the street at any hour at no charge.
Is it worth it for kids?
Children often enjoy the humour of the statue and the costume days, and the viewing takes only a few minutes.