The Wawel Dragon

Where it came from

Different versions of the story have different heroes. In many versions the king himself vanquishes the dragon. However, in the best known story today. Skuba the shoemaker defeats the dragon with an unusual weapon...

Where it went next

The story has had an important impact on Polish mythology, and Kraków's tourism. Visitors today can visit the cave below the castle as well as a fire-breathing statue of the dragon outside. This was built in 1972 and has seven heads. Also, the street which winds along the banks of the river towards the castle is called ulica Smocza, “dragon street”.

Associated stories

There are many stories about evil dragons in other cultures (and the expected or unexpected people who defeat them). The most well-known to us today is the English legend of St. George and the Dragon. While we are used to knights defeating dragons, Stan Bolovan and the Dragon, a folktale from Romania, has a far more unlikely hero.