Manneken Pis has been a public fountain, a mascot and the hero of many incredible tales in Brussels. He has received gifts from lords and kings and has been abducted and saved several times. Since little is known about Manneken Pis, here’s a brief history of the little statue.

The statue’s name, quite literally, means “peeing little man,” or “peeing boy.” Before this became his title, he was also known as Petit Julien, or ‘little Julien’. The legend goes that Brussels was surrounded by enemies who pretended to retreat, but in reality were hiding gunpowder underneath. A little boy named Julien saw the burning fuse and quickly peed on it. Out of gratitude, the city made a statue in his likeness.