This is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Cracow, located near the Wawel Castle. Walking along the Vistula boulevards, you can meet a lot of tourists with cameras in their hands, waiting for the dragon to breathe fire. Once, you had to do was send an SMS to start a fire. Today, be patient because the dragon breathes fire every 3 minutes.
According to legend, the dragon devoured sheep and local virgins. He was defeated by … here are several endings. According to some, the dragon was defeated by the sons of King Krak. According to another legend the dragon was killed by a simple shoemaker Dratewka. One thing is certain, the dragon devoured a sheep with sulfur inside, drank the entire Vistula River and cracked.
If you have already been to Wawel, then probably your attention was drawn by large bones hanging over the entrance to the cathedral. It was thought that they were the bones of this legendary dragon.
The author of the statue is Bolesław Chromy. The monument dates from 1969 and according to the original concept, the dragon was to be partially immersed in the Vistula, but this idea was eventually rejected. Initially, the monument was to be a fountain and stand on Wolnica Square.
There is also an exit from the dragon’s pit, next to the dragon statue, where there were: a brothel and inn.
Currently, it is a place where Cracovians often meet. There are often various types of events – for example on the occasion of children’s day. The Saint John’s Fair is also noteworthy. This is a three-day festival taking place at the end of June. A real medieval town is erected in the nearby green areas. There are a lot of stalls, where you can see what paper making, bread baking or candle production looked like. In many places you can try not only dishes, but you can also try out your skills in calligraphy, plaiting ropes or you can mint a souvenir coin. You can also enjoy court dance shows on the stage.
