Description of the attraction
Dragon Fountain is a 16th century fountain located in the city of Klagenfurt in Carinthia on New Square. It is the main attraction in the city.
The fountain was created in 1583 by an unknown master. The sculpture is carved from a large single piece of chlorite that was brought from the surrounding mountains. In 1634, a forged metal lattice with flowers of the late Renaissance appeared around the fountain, and 2 years later the statue of Hercules was added to the composition, which personifies the victory over the mighty dragon. The dragon's head is a replica of the skull of a prehistoric rhinoceros that was discovered near the city. Currently, the skull is kept in the State Museum of Carinthia.
The composition of the fountain is a legend about how Klagenfurt came into being. One of the many legends tells about it this way: “A long time ago, those lands were an impenetrable swamp with a dense forest. It was always dark, damp and very scary there. None of the people dared to enter this terrible forest. From the swamp, from time to time, came a terrible inhuman howl and roar. Duke Karast sent his brave warriors many times to find out what kind of monster was hiding in the thicket. But no one has ever had the courage, even the bravest of warriors. Then the duke promised to give these lands to those who dare to enter the forest and defeat the monster. The cunning warriors built an observation tower and erected a stuffed bull, stuffing it inside with metal thorns and thorns. The bull was put on the edge of the swamp, and they themselves began to observe what was happening from the tower. A little time passed, a terrible dragon jumped out of the swamp and grabbed the bull. However, choking on the thorns, he lost control. At the same moment, the brave warriors killed the dragon. And on the spot where there was an observation tower, they built the city of Klagenfurt."
