Krakow’s famous dragon statue forced to stop spitting fire
Millions of visitors come each year to watch flames jutting from its snout every three minutes
![The iconic fire-spitting dragon of Krakow is holding its breath for a checkup, that is to determine why it's been consuming too much gas recently, in Krakow, southern Poland](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/29/16/Poland_Dragon_Fiery_Breath_69374.jpg)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An iconic metal sculpture of a dragon that spits real fire in the Polish city of Krakow will hold its breath for a month to check why it's been devouring so much fuel lately, authorities said on Wednesday.
Starting this week, experts will check the gas feeds for the 6-meter (19-foot) sculpture to find ways of reducing the dragon’s energy bills, said Krzysztof Wojdowski, spokesman for Krakow's road infrastructure office.
The dragon figure at foot of the Wawel Castle in the southern historic city is a major tourist attraction. Millions of visitors come each year to watch flames jutting from its snout every three minutes.
The figure by Polish sculptor Bronislaw Chromy dates to the late 1960s, but refers to centuries-old legend in Krakow's history.
![Poland Dragon Fiery Breath](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/29/16/Poland_Dragon_Fiery_Breath_50447.jpg)
According to the story, the city was harassed by a blood-thirsty dragon that fed on the citizen's cattle, and sometimes even on young maidens. A resourceful young shoemaker offered the beast a sheep skin stuffed with sulfur that gave the dragon a burning feeling inside. Then, the dragon drank so much water from the nearby Vistula River that it burst.
The sculpture should regain its fire-breathing abilities in March.