Monument of the Wawel Dragon
Monument of the Wawel Dragon
Monument of the Wawel Dragon
4
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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The area
Neighborhood: Stare Miasto
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Restaurants
1,960 within 3 miles
Attractions
480 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Tom JLondon, United Kingdom1,532 contributionsA Simple & Brilliant StatueThe Statue of Smok is located on the outskirts of the castle and accessible on the path that goes around the castle. It is free to see and is not required to visit the cave in order to get up close. The statue itself is about 3 metres tall and occasionally breathes fire, adding to the magic of the legend that is Smok. It is not a periodic event when it breathes fire, but based on the natural gases under the castle so sometimes can be every couple of minutes, sometimes longer. None the less be sure to have the camera ready!Visited January 2020Written January 25, 2020
- Little_punk_dollRouen, France168 contributionsNice addition to the castleGreat little statue that breathes fire. However, people are really disrepectful there. Even when the fire starts, people keep putting children on the statue as if it were a playground... It's not possible to take a decent picture without having some kids on it, and if they get hurt, they'll only have their irresponsible parents to blame.Visited March 2022Written March 23, 2022
- SarnyBexleyheath, United Kingdom411 contributionsWait for the flamesJust under Wawel Royal Castle by the river we came across this statue. We'd already read the story of Smok the Dragon then was surprised by the flames that come about every 5 minutes - we stopped because we saw people holding up phones ready for 'something' aimed at the statue then saw the flames. There is a sort of lair looking area behind but it was gated and locked. We found it a little fun stop off.Visited December 2021Traveled with familyWritten December 6, 2021
- pawel_hbgSopot, Poland9,993 contributionsVery interesting legend of this dragonStanding on the Vistula riverbank in the shade of Wawel Castle is a rather ugly likeness of the Wawel Dragon (Smok Wawelski). According to local legend - once reposed in the large cave behind him when not out and about in town scarfing up virgins and sheep. Finally vanquished when he was tricked into eating a bag of sulphur.Visited June 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten June 11, 2020
- Bertie1224Northamptonshire, United Kingdom428 contributionsFire breathing dragonEvery few minutes the dragon spews fire. On its own it’s a nice sculpture to look at. The fire breathing bit just adds a little extra. I pity any pigeon sitting in its mouth at the wrong moment….Visited April 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 15, 2023
- Denisa MoricováFrydek-Mistek, Czech Republic26 contributionsNice monument, too many peopleA nice monument, didn't see it make fire because of how overcrowded this area was. There are about 7 children climbing on this monument at all times it seems. I was really looking forward to this because I love slavic folklore but the people kind of ruined it for me. I would still recommend seeing this though.Visited August 2021Written August 13, 2021
- MarcusHurleyCalne, United Kingdom9,426 contributionsWorth a quick lookThis is a great bit of fun on the banks of the Vistula, next to Wawel Castle. The flames are about every five minutes and it usually has people crowded around it. Certainly a nice little distraction to visit.Visited September 2021Written September 22, 2021
- scorpionsaAdelaide, Australia202 contributionsI'm led to believe the dragon breathes fire at various intervalsThis statue was pointed out to me on a walking tour I was doing. It's located on the river just below Wawel Castle. Apparently at various points it randomly breathes fire - but as far as I could tell it appeared to be broken in Feb 2020. If it breathed fire it would probably be more exciting, but as a statue it's not really that impressive.Visited February 2020Written April 10, 2020
- Robert ORotterdam, The Netherlands3,727 contributionsDragon symbolizing evilSince medieval times fairytales have been part of Polish folkore. The dragon who used to live in a cave under Wawel hill instilled fear on virgins and children. He was eventually killed by the ruler to underscore the goodness of the latter. There are many different versions of the story. The theme of Good versus Evil later on took a Catholic form: evil was symbolized by the devil. Remarkable that the dragon monument was erected during communist rule in 1972. Perhaps to divert attention?Visited October 2020Written January 28, 2021
- FreakinSweetLangar, United Kingdom382 contributionsWait around until the dragon breathes fire!Make your way down from Wawel Castle (you can pay 6 Zloty to go down through the dragons lair or just walk around the walls) and you come across an impressive sculpture of the Wawel dragon. If you wait long enough you can see it breathe fire.Visited September 2018Traveled as a coupleWritten September 15, 2018
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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pawel_hbg
Sopot, Poland9,993 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
Standing on the Vistula riverbank in the shade of Wawel Castle is a rather ugly likeness of the Wawel Dragon (Smok Wawelski). According to local legend - once reposed in the large cave behind him when not out and about in town scarfing up virgins and sheep. Finally vanquished when he was tricked into eating a bag of sulphur.
Written June 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bertie1224
Northamptonshire, UK428 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Every few minutes the dragon spews fire. On its own it’s a nice sculpture to look at. The fire breathing bit just adds a little extra. I pity any pigeon sitting in its mouth at the wrong moment….
Written April 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denisa Moricová
Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic26 contributions
Aug 2021
A nice monument, didn't see it make fire because of how overcrowded this area was. There are about 7 children climbing on this monument at all times it seems. I was really looking forward to this because I love slavic folklore but the people kind of ruined it for me. I would still recommend seeing this though.
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcusHurley
Calne, UK9,426 contributions
Sep 2021
This is a great bit of fun on the banks of the Vistula, next to Wawel Castle. The flames are about every five minutes and it usually has people crowded around it. Certainly a nice little distraction to visit.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scorpionsa
Adelaide, Australia202 contributions
Feb 2020
This statue was pointed out to me on a walking tour I was doing. It's located on the river just below Wawel Castle. Apparently at various points it randomly breathes fire - but as far as I could tell it appeared to be broken in Feb 2020. If it breathed fire it would probably be more exciting, but as a statue it's not really that impressive.
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,727 contributions
Oct 2020
Since medieval times fairytales have been part of Polish folkore. The dragon who used to live in a cave under Wawel hill instilled fear on virgins and children. He was eventually killed by the ruler to underscore the goodness of the latter. There are many different versions of the story. The theme of Good versus Evil later on took a Catholic form: evil was symbolized by the devil. Remarkable that the dragon monument was erected during communist rule in 1972. Perhaps to divert attention?
Written January 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FreakinSweet
Langar, UK382 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Make your way down from Wawel Castle (you can pay 6 Zloty to go down through the dragons lair or just walk around the walls) and you come across an impressive sculpture of the Wawel dragon. If you wait long enough you can see it breathe fire.
Written September 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom J
London, UK1,532 contributions
Aug 2019
We visited the monument of Smok the legendary dragon of Wawel castle. The first thing to note is you DO NOT need to pay to visit this monument...it is outside of the castle grounds to the south west side. We first visited first thing in the morning at around 9am and was lucky to see the fire on arrival, a great statue that breathes fire...what more could you ask for?
So we decided to go in the evening to get a nice photo at night with the fire all lit up....this is where it all went horribly wrong. We waited for around 1hr 20 mins to see fire. On multiple occasions there was a gas release that is clear with the hissing sound but never any ignition. People came and left and nothing appeared to happen. So I googled it, found the supposed SMS number assuming someone may have done this earlier in the morning....nope..nothing! So roughly 1hr 30 minutes in, after being what felt like bitten alive by mosquitoes we decided to call it a night.
The following morning, passing by the damn thing breathed fire 3 times within 15 minutes...as if to mock our efforts of trying to capture the required photo...so frustrating!
None the less it is a great legend and statue, hopefully you'll be lucky and see flames...but if 20 minutes in nothing has materialised I would call it a day!
So we decided to go in the evening to get a nice photo at night with the fire all lit up....this is where it all went horribly wrong. We waited for around 1hr 20 mins to see fire. On multiple occasions there was a gas release that is clear with the hissing sound but never any ignition. People came and left and nothing appeared to happen. So I googled it, found the supposed SMS number assuming someone may have done this earlier in the morning....nope..nothing! So roughly 1hr 30 minutes in, after being what felt like bitten alive by mosquitoes we decided to call it a night.
The following morning, passing by the damn thing breathed fire 3 times within 15 minutes...as if to mock our efforts of trying to capture the required photo...so frustrating!
None the less it is a great legend and statue, hopefully you'll be lucky and see flames...but if 20 minutes in nothing has materialised I would call it a day!
Written August 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel39,117 contributions
Mar 2023
This is a cool sculpture of Krakow's dragon, spitting fire every couple of minutes, to the amusement of the spectators.
Written March 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Welshdraig
North Wales, UK365 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
Coming from the Land of Dragons, Wales 🏴it was key to find this situated below Wasel Castle. And it does breathe fire 🤗
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Υπάρχουν καθορισμενες μέρες κ ώρες που βγάζει φωτιά ο δρακος; κάποιοι ανάφεραν ότι μπορείς με SMS να τον ενεργοποιήσεις για να βγάλει φωτιά, ισχύει; κ εάν ισχύει ποιος είναι ο αριθμός;
Anastasios K
Thessaloniki, Greece57 contributions
Δεν υπάρχουν προκαθορισμένες ώρες. Βγάζει περίπου κάθε 4-5 λεπτά την φωτιά που διαρκεί 5-6 δευτερόλεπτα. Δεν ξέρω επίσης αν γίνεται αυτό όλο το 24ωρο. Εγώ πάντως το είδα στις 1 το μεσημέρι.
Richard D
Birmingham, UK26 contributions
does the dragon breathe fire in march?
I really wanted to do the dragons den tour but its not open until april, we go in march.
George B
Aberdeen, UK1,548 contributions
I believe it does it all year round. probably better then as the fire coming out would be more readily seen.
trerre
Lombardy, Italy9 contributions
a che ora sputafuoco. oggi lunedi il dragodi cracovia
Trek569966
Linthicum Heights, MD
When does it breathe fire?
Clogs
Poland2,961 contributions
At irregular intervals, if you hang around long enough, like 10 minutes or so, you should see at least one fiery breath. There used to be a number you could send an SMS to, 7168 I believe it was, with text SMOK, but these days the reply is an error from the service. Supposedly the dragon stopped responding to messages around 2016. Still, I tried it and got an error, but the dragon did breathe fire soon after. Coincidence perhaps but still... ;)
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Claim your listingMonument of the Wawel Dragon (Krakow) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Monument of the Wawel Dragon
- Monument of the Wawel Dragon is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Monument of the Wawel Dragon tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 39 Monument of the Wawel Dragon tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Monument of the Wawel Dragon:
- Krakow Bike Tour 3 Hour Private Tour with local historian PhD (From $55.00)
- Krakow Private City Tour, Full Day Tour of Old Town and Jewish Quarter (From $114.08)
- Krakow Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour (From $103.93)
- Krakow City Tour, Old Town guided walking tour in a small group (From $39.93)
- Krakow: Skip The Line Wawel Castle and Hill Guided Tour (From $125.83)
- Hotels near Monument of the Wawel Dragon:
- (0.16 mi) Pod Wawelem Hotel
- (0.13 mi) Hotel Poleski
- (0.16 mi) Zamkowa 15 Apartments
- (0.27 mi) Stradonia Serviced Apartments
- (0.23 mi) Sheraton Grand Krakow
- Restaurants near Monument of the Wawel Dragon:
- (0.04 mi) Kawiarnia Wawel
- (0.07 mi) Restauracja Trattoria Wawel
- (0.07 mi) Restaurant at Wawel Royal Castle
- (0.05 mi) Kawiarnia Słodki Wawel
- (0.08 mi) Kawiarnia pod Baszta
Monument of the Wawel Dragon Information
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