Saint George (1943) by Candido PortinariProjeto Portinari
The 🐲 in Wrocław
Did you know that Wrocław has its own dragon? When we think "dragon" and Poland" what immediately comes to our mind is Kraków and the Wawel Dragon.
However, Wrocław also has its own magical creature. Discover Wrocław's dragon and his den!
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📍 Strachociński Forest
In the eastern part of Wrocław, between Strachocin and Wojnów disctricts there is the Strachociński Forest. Surprisingly enough, the legend behind the forest's name is not very well-know even among locals!
An Apple-Tree at a Stream (1868) by Maksymilian GierymskiThe National Museum in Krakow
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In the past, a mighty dragon inhabited what is known nowadays as Strachociński Forest.
He mostly fed on cattle belonging to the local people. He aroused great fear in the region - that's why he was called Strachota - what would translate in English as the "Dragon of Fear".
Early Spring (c. 1900) by Max Wislicenus (1861–1957)National Museum in Wrocław
The Dragon also drew water from the magic spring hidden in the forest.
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It gave him special powers.
Saint George (1943) by Candido PortinariProjeto Portinari
One day, a daredevil named Konrad arrived to the village. He heard about the Strachota Dragon and wanted to destroy him. The legend has it that he wasn't very bright but brave.
The Water Lilies - Clear Morning with Willows (1915/1926) by Claude MonetMusée de l'Orangerie
Konrad went into the dense forest and lost his way there. He was walking until he ran into the magical spring.
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Thirsty, he drank the cool and silent water greedily, not knowing it was enchanted.
Saint George and the Dragon (about 1555) by Jacopo TintorettoThe National Gallery, London
The dragon, taking a rest nearby, woke up and saw Konrad.
The fight didn't last long as the dragon, deprived of the power that spring water usually gave him, was weak and ailing.
Konrad fought hard and managed to hurt him in a number of places. The dragon, hurt, fled deep into the forest.
(Untitled--Study of Mushrooms) (1880) by Mary Vaux Walcott, born Philadelphia, PA 1860-died St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada 1940Original Source: See this work of art on the Smithsonian American Art Museum website
Hungry and defeated, he came across mushrooms which he ate voraciously.
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They turned out to be poisonous.
A Beech Wood in May near Iselingen Manor, Zealand (1857) by P.C. SkovgaardSMK - Statens Museum for Kunst
The dragon collapsed in the forest clearing and his body slowly decomposed there and became part of the Dragon Forest.
King Casimir I the Restorer Returning to Poland (1893) by Wojciech Gerson (1831–1901)National Museum in Wrocław
After Konrad's return to the village, he was welcomed as a hero.
The then reigning Silesian duke anointed him a knight.
Karpniki Castle, Lower Silesia, Poland by Michal SiarekMuseum of Architecture in Wroclaw
Konrad received the Dragon Forest as his settlement.
He built a castle and settled there.
Interested in the dragons of Poland?
Read on about the 🐲 Wawel Dragon from Kraków!
