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Image by Renata Riva
Brussels most visited site together with Grand Place is the Manneken Pis. Many travellers are also familiar with Jeaneke Pis, but almost nobody knows that Bruxellers installed another sculpture with the same (pissing) idea.
It’s the Zinneke, a dog! Zinneke in Brussels dialect means someone of mixed origins, symbolizing the mixture of populations living in Brussels.
To me this sculpture is a funny spot to show to friends, a laugh, a way to explain Brussels. And if you are lucky, walking along the street you may find the original dog model for the sculpture: his owner Mark lives in the neighborhood!
Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Zinneke | Art & culture
Rue de Chartreux 31h | Center
24 hours daily
The Zinneke | Art & culture
Rue de Chartreux 31h | Center
24 hours daily
Dear Stockel1949,
thank you for your explanation, very very interesting!
Renata
Hello,
I am from Brussels and I would like to share with you the etymology of the word “Zinneke. It flowed a river in Brussels called in French the “Senne” (not the “Seine” like in Paris) and called “Zinne” in Brussels dialect. In Brussels this river had many meanders called “Sennette” or “Zinneke” in Brussels dialect. Mongrel dogs were drowned in the Sennette and by extension the dog of uncertain origin were called “Zinneke”. The inhabitants of Brussels are from different origin and they have called themselves “Zinneke.