Travel Tips

We are always on the lookout for dragons. You can find them all over Europe, where they are particularly common in the cities. Here they are not at all dangerous, and are usually quite willing to pose for a photograph, unless, of course, they are being harassed by a man on horseback, who usually seems to be called George (or something similar).

The best place for dragon spotting that we have found so far is Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. This really is Dragon Central. There are dragons everywhere! On buildings, bridges, railings, manhole covers. It's the emblem of the city. There doesn't seem to be anybody called George here, which may explain why the dragon population has become so large.

Send Photo to a Friend

Rune stones at Jelling, Denmark

Dragons in History

Dragons feature in the historical record too. You can just about make out the dragon pictured on the large runestone on the left in this picture. The stone is over 1,000 years old, and marks the birth of Denmark. It is in the churchyard at Jelling on Jutland, and forms part of a World Heritage Site (see other album).

Send Photo to a Friend

Dragon lamp post in Copenhagen

Another Danish dragon

This is one of two rather splendid dragons which adorn lampposts by the customs house at the nothern end of Copenhagen harbour.

Send Photo to a Friend

Dragon gargoyle at Busta, Shetland

A long way from home

This nice little dragon was a surprise find in the grounds of Busta House in a remote part of Shetland. Originally adorning the House of Commons in London, he was "rescued" from the ruins after the Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire in the 19th century by the local MP, who lived at Busta.

Send Photo to a Friend

Japanese dragon

Oriental Dragons

We didn't have to go to the far east to spot this fantastic oriental dragon, we found him in the Japanese collection at the Hamburg Museum for Arts and Crafts (Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe).

Send Photo to a Friend

Flemish Dragon

This fierce specimen can be found at the base of the large sculpture/fountain that occupies a significant part of the main market square in Antwerp.

Send Photo to a Friend

Sankt Göran och draken, Stockholm

Swedish dragons

This very spiky specimen, in the process of being slain by St George (not a very friendly thing to do) is in Stockholm's Gamla stan (old town). There is apparently another version of this sculpture in the Storkyrkan church, but we haven't seen that yet.

Send Photo to a Friend

Dragon sign, Bratislava

Slovakian dragons

There are plenty of dragons in Bratislava too, including this slightly oddly proportioned one.