Page 51 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

THE L OWER T OWN  49

The current statue of In 1698 the governor of
Manneken Pis by Jérôme the Netherlands, Maximilian The Legends of
Duquesnoy the Elder has Emmanuel, brought a gift to Manneken Pis
been in place since 1619. the city in the form of a blue The charm of this famous
However, there is evidence to woollen coat for the statue. statue comes from the many
suggest that a stone This is a tradition that rumours and fables behind it.
fountain depicting the continues today, with visiting One theory claims that in
same figure stood there heads of state donating the 12th century the son
before it, possibly as early miniature versions of their of a duke was
as 1451. In its long history, national costume. The little caught urinating
the statuette has been the boy now has a collection of against a tree in
victim of several thefts. A over 800 outfits, which are the midst of a battle
particularly violent theft housed in the Musée de la and was thus com-
memorated in
in 1965 left the statue Ville de Bruxelles in the bronze as a
broken in two pieces, Maison du Roi on the Grand symbol of mil-
leaving just the ankles Place (see p46), where itary courage.
and feet remaining. around 100 are on display The inspiration
The missing body of at any one time. Among for the statue has
the statue reappeared the collection are been revealed
a year later when it miniature samurai, Santa as Cupid.
was found in a canal. Claus and Elvis suits.
The belfry was built The gabled roof, like
by architect Jan van much of the town hall, VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Ruysbroeck. A sta- was fully restored in 1837,
tue of St Michael and cleaned in Practical Information
tops the 96 m the 1990s. Grand Place, 1000 BRU
(315 ft) spire. Map 2 D3. Tel (02) 279 2343
(general info); (02) 548 0447
Aldermen’s (for visits). Hôtel de Ville: Open
room for guided tours. Closed pub
hols, election days. & (tickets
at Hôtel de Ville or Grand Place
tourist office). 8 in English: Wed
2pm, Sun 11am, 3pm & 4pm.
∑ visitbrussels.be
Transport
@ 29, 38, 46, 48, 63, 66, 71, 86, 95.
v 3, 4, 32. q Gare Centrale.

. Conference Room
Council Chamber
The most splendid of all the
public rooms. Ancient tapes tries
and gilt mirrors line the walls
above an inlaid floor.

Wedding Room
A Neo-Gothic style dominates this
civil marriage office, with its many
ornate carved timbers, including
Banqueting room ancient ebony and mahogany.

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