The iconic metal sculpture of a fire-spitting dragon in Krakow, Poland will hold its breath for a month. Authorities want to find out why the dragon has been consuming too much gas lately. Starting this week, experts will examine the gas feeds for the 19-foot sculpture.
They hope to find ways to reduce the dragon’s energy bills. Krzysztof Wojdowski is the spokesman for Krakow’s road infrastructure office. He said the dragon figure is a major tourist attraction.
Millions of visitors come each year to watch flames burst from its snout every three minutes. Polish sculptor Bronislaw Chromy created the sculpture in the late 1960s.
Draconian gas conservation plan
It is located at the foot of Wawel Castle in the historic city. The sculpture is inspired by a centuries-old legend in Krakow’s history. The story says the city was harassed by a blood-thirsty dragon.
It fed on the citizen’s cattle and sometimes on young maidens. A resourceful young shoemaker ultimately defeated the dragon. He offered it a sheep skin stuffed with sulfur.
The dragon felt a burning sensation inside after eating it. It drank so much water from the nearby Vistula River that it burst. The dragon sculpture is expected to regain its fire-breathing abilities in March.