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Nestled in the heart of MainStrasse Village in Covington, Kentucky, stands a statue with a unique historical background. The Manneken Pis statue, modeled after its 15th-century counterpart in Brussels, Belgium, adds a touch of Belgian charm to the German American ambiance of the village.
Despite no direct historical ties between Germany and Belgium explaining its presence, the statue embodies Covington's quirky character. Various legends surround the original Manneken Pis. One story tells of a young boy who thwarted enemy plans by urinating on explosive fuses during a siege. Another tale involves a wealthy merchant's son found relieving himself after going missing. Yet another speaks of a witch's curse on a boy for urinating on her door.
Patrick Duffy, Covington Business Retention and Expansion Manager, remarked on the statue’s journey to MainStrasse: “Just how our own Manneken Pis statue wound up in MainStrasse comes with its fair share of stories too,” he said. “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 community owes thanks to Andrew Bettinghaus and John “Mick” Robbins for bringing this iconic figure to The Cov. They ensure he is dressed appropriately for each season at his location next to Kaleidoscope Stained Glass at 706 Main St.
This article concludes coverage of the 2025 Authenti-CITY awards presented by Covington during National Economic Development Week. These awards began in 2021 without specific criteria but rather through spirited debates among staff about which elements most authentically represented "The Cov."
