Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium

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Manneken Pis, a Brussels landmark of great renown, stands proudly on the corner of Rue de l'Etuve and Rue des Grands Carmes. A small bronze fountain sculpture, this iconic piece depicts a naked little boy urinating into its basin with uncanny accuracy. Designed by Jerome Duquesnoy in 1618 or 1619, it bears a cultural significance rivaling that of Copenhagen's Little Mermaid. The 61 cm tall bronze statue was crafted by Brussels sculptor Hieronimus Duquesnoy the Elder, father of Francois Duquesnoy, a renowned artist. The figure has been repeatedly stolen over the years, and the original version is now safely stored at the Maison du Roi/Broodhuis on the Grand Place. Several legends surround this sculpture, making it one of Brussels' most popular pieces of art. However, the most famous tale revolves around Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, troops led by this two-year-old lord battled against those of the Berthouts in Ransbeke (now Neder-Over-Heembeek). To boost morale, the infant lord was placed in a basket and hung from a tree. From his lofty perch, he urinated on the enemy troops, leading to their defeat. To learn more about this captivating sculpture, simply click here! This remarkable piece is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. This innovative project aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for everyone's access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, inviting anyone with interesting items to contribute by emailing stw@myminifactory.com to discover how they can participate.