Not only is the spitting boy a statue, he is also on all the manhole covers in Koblenz.
His name is Schängel or Little John.
He represents the bastard sons of the French soldiers who occupied the city under the rule of Louie XIV and Napoleon.
Koblenz was conquered many times throughout its history and the spitting statue is said to represent the distain for foreigners.
Schängel spits, quite forcefully and at different intervals so you better watch out where you stand!