The Wawel Dragon in Cracow

Medals available for purchase at the IRSA shop in the passageway to the courtyard!

The Wawel Dragon is one of Kraków’s most famous symbols. The lair of this mythical creature was a cave called the Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama), located at the foot of Wawel Hill.

The legend of the dragon is commemorated by a 6-meter tall statue of the Wawel Dragon, created by Bronisław Chromy. The sculpture was made in 1969 and has stood at the foot of Wawel Hill since 1972.

This bronze statue, mounted on a large boulder, has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Originally, there were plans to partially submerge the monument in the Vistula River. However, this idea was abandoned due to concerns that river debris would accumulate on its structure.

Interestingly, the sculpture is powered by natural gas, allowing the dragon to… breathe real fire. 🙂