THE KLAGENFURT DRAGON by sangwann

THE KLAGENFURT DRAGON

24th August. Another dragon. Seems that dragons could be found everywhere in medieval days.
This is the Dragon Fountain (Lindwurmbrunnen), the heraldic emblem of Klagenfurt. This huge piece of sculpture (9tons) was carved by Ulrich Vogelsang about 1590 from a single block of chloritic schist.
Facing the dragon is the figure of Hercules. This other sculpture together with the iron railings were added in 1636.
There is a legend about this dragon. – or as it is known in the area ‘Lindwurm’. It says that the town was built on a swamp inhabited by an abominable winged dragon whose staple diet is said to have been virgins (I wish to know how he managed to distinguish virgins from non-virgins). However some brave men baited him with a fat bull on a chain mounted on a strong tower and managed to slay him.
Thank you very much for looking and for your lovely comments on yesterday's picture.
Good thing we don't have dragons still around, beautiful sculptures.
October 21st, 2013  
very beautiful composition
October 21st, 2013  
rather frightful looking thing...hope the guy was the dragonslayer!!
October 21st, 2013  
Careful it might bite you on the arse.
October 21st, 2013  
Wow Dione, that is such a cool photo. I like it
October 21st, 2013  
Interesting capture and information. Strange that dragons are widely featured in the folklore of so many countries. They used to be referred to as 'worms' here in the UK too.
October 21st, 2013  
it must have been easier to distinguish virgins back then.
October 21st, 2013  
nice presentation, thanks for the explanation
October 21st, 2013  
Great capture of this beautiful statue .Interesting information.
The canal is what we call : ``een sloot``. Use for drain away the (rain)water to a bigger : ``Kanaal `` that goes to at last : the sea .
The level of the sloot-water is also the level of groundwater.
October 21st, 2013  
Neat statue. I guess Hercules will defeat the dragon. I like your prospective on the photo
October 21st, 2013  
Oh great dragon story-and photo!
October 22nd, 2013  
A very formidable statue. Hercules seems to have met his match!
October 22nd, 2013  
Good capture of the stature in context. I enjoyed the narrative behind it.
October 22nd, 2013  
Nice to see and interesting.
October 22nd, 2013  
Amazing to think that was carved all those years ago without the benefit of modern cranes and tools. Have to admire our forebears for their skills and their imaginations.
October 22nd, 2013  
Great capture. Love the composition
October 22nd, 2013  
@angiec Thank you for your nice comments.
October 22nd, 2013  
you are a walking historian.
October 23rd, 2013  
@sarasdadandmom Thanks, Terry. I love to get to know something of the places I visit.
October 26th, 2013  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.