Nestled in the heart of Covington, Kentucky's MainStrasse Village is a unique piece of Belgian history. The Manneken Pis statue, reminiscent of its 15th-century counterpart in Brussels, stands as a testament to Covington's distinctive charm. Despite no historical ties between Germany and Belgium, the statue has become an integral part of the village's German American ambiance.
The original Manneken Pis is steeped in Belgian folklore with various tales explaining its origins. One story recounts a young boy who thwarted enemy troops by urinating on their explosives during a siege, earning him a commemorative statue for his bravery. Other legends include a wealthy merchant's son found while relieving himself or a witch cursing a boy for urinating on her door.
Patrick Duffy, Covington Business Retention and Expansion Manager, remarked on the statue's presence: “Just how our own Manneken Pis statue wound up in MainStrasse comes with its fair share of stories too. We’re lucky to have him as part of Covington’s cultural landscape because it’s little quirks like this that give our city its unique character.”
The credit for bringing this iconic figure to Covington goes to Andrew Bettinghaus and John “Mick” Robbins. They ensure the statue remains well-dressed throughout the seasons at its location at 706 Main St., next to Kaleidoscope Stained Glass.
This article concludes the series naming winners of the 2025 Authenti-CITY awards presented by Covington during National Economic Development Week. The awards began in 2021 without strict criteria, celebrating those who best "kept it real" in Covington through spirited staff debates.