Manneken Pis Geraardsbergen

Brussels and Geraardsbergen, both have a Manneken Pis. But the one from Geraardsbergen is said to be by far the oldest. Based on city accounts, this could be proven.

The story of the Geraardsbergen Manneken Pis begins in 1452. A not-so-glamorous start, as that year invading Gent residents laid the city to waste. Even the fountains in the Market were not spared. In 1455, the city magistrate of Geraardsbergen receives the blessed opportunity to order a "lattoenen mannekin," or a little figure in brass, from the Brussels fountain master Jan Van Der Schelden.

The first Manneken Pis that is delivered turns out to be a few sizes too big for the pedestal. In 1459, a more appropriate model arrives. It weighs 45.5 pounds. Manneken Pis of Geraardsbergen is born.

Only 160 years later will its Brussels counterpart - which according to the people of Geraardsbergen is an imitation - come into the world.

The Geraardsbergen Manneken Pis has hundreds of costumes. A large number of them are permanently displayed in the Manneken Pis museum.

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