Krakow’s iconic dragon taking a break

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Krakow’s iconic dragon taking a break

The iconic fire-breathing dragon sculpture in Krakow, Poland, is taking a break from its fiery displays. The 19-foot metal dragon will hold its breath for a month while experts examine its fuel system. Krzysztof Wojdowski is the spokesman for Krakow’s road infrastructure office.

He said that starting this week, experts will inspect the gas feeds that fuel the dragon’s flames. They want to find ways to reduce the dragon’s energy bills. The dragon was created by Polish sculptor Bronislaw Chromy in the late 1960s.

It stands at the foot of Wawel Castle and is a major tourist attraction. Millions of visitors come each year to watch flames shoot from its snout every three minutes. The sculpture is based on a centuries-old legend in Krakow’s history.

Dragon inspections aim to cut costs

According to the story, a blood-thirsty dragon once harassed the city. It fed on the residents’ cattle and sometimes even on young maidens.

A resourceful young shoemaker came up with a plan to stop the beast. He offered the dragon a sheep skin stuffed with sulfur. This gave the dragon a burning sensation inside.

The dragon then drank so much water from the nearby Vistula River that it burst. The clever shoemaker saved the city from the dragon’s terror. The sculpture is expected to regain its fire-breathing abilities in March.

Until then, visitors will have to imagine the dragon’s fiery breath as they admire its impressive metal form.

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