Trutnov

According to legend, first recorded in the 16^th century, in these places there used to be “the cave of a terrible dragon” that was overpowered by the company of the legendary founder of the city Albrecht of Trautenberg in 1006. The dragon also appeared on the town’s seals as a heraldic symbol and became a part of the town’s coat of arms. Dragon’s Lane used to run behind the houses located in Mostecká Street and among the wooden houses. In mid-19^th century, it was called Koželužská Street and ran into Vodní Street. Inspired by the 19^th century Romanticism, it was renamed “Lindwurmgasse” – Dragon’s Lane. It ceased to exist during the demolition of the buildings in Slezská and Mostecká Street in the 80s of the 20^th century.

According to an old legend, the hill under which the dragon’s lair was located became the key point of the emerging town. The artistic portrayal of the hill with a sculpture of a dragon in the renewed Dragon’s Lane is symbolic. The shape of the pedestal reminds of the hill and represents the whole town, which is surrounded by a ring of town walls. These are represented by a metal hoop, which encircles the whole work of art. The text is written in three languages, Czech, German and Latin, figuratively representing the three town gates. The text is a quotation from the Pope’s legate’s words uttered in one version of the old legends: “You, the brutal and villainous monster, are the blessing of this town, and thus you shall remain forever”. The loop also represents the ring, which is carried by the rook in the town’s coat of arms. The colours of the stone pedestal symbolize the geology of Trutnov region. The red stone refers to the Perm sandstone on which the town stands. The white material represents the rocks of the Čížkový Stones, and the black blocks refer to the black gold of Žacléř. The pedestal is dominated by a cross, for our ancestors drew the sense of their existence from the Christian religion. The whole monument is dominated by a sculpture of a lying dragon which has a deep covert meaning.

Foto: Miloš Šálek

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