The Pornographic Snowman Miracle of 1511
Brussels saw an unusual form of social protest more than five centuries ago
In the winter of 1511, Brussels, Belgium bore witness to a remarkable and peculiar occurrence known as the “Miracle of 1511”, or in Dutch, “De sneeuwpoppen van 1511.” In the middle of a particularly cold winter interspersed with social unrest over wealth gaps, the locals decided to channel their creativity and frustrations into constructing and erecting approximately 110 satirical and pornographic snowmen around the city. Little did they know that this seemingly innocent act of protest would bond the lower classes and leave an enduring mark on history.
Snowmen are typically meant to be whimsical and imaginative, but they can easily be manipulated to serve other purposes. This was certainly the case in Brussels, where in 1511, locals were tired of the especially trying winter weather that had seen near constant sub-zero temperatures for six weeks. None of this helped rapid population growth and a massive divide of wealth between the ruling class House of Habsburg and the peasants.
The people were fed up and a form of protest soon fomented through a festival, quickly and surprisingly taking on a surprisingly risqué nature. Community members across the city built around 110 elaborate snowmen in various…
