Lindwurm fountain

Brief information

• What is a lindworm? Lindwurm is the name for a snake- or dragon-like mythical creature.
• What is the Lindwurm in Klagenfurt? It is a fountain and the landmark of the city Klagenfurt.
• Where is it located? Right on Neuer Platz, in the middle, to be admired from all sides. The town hall is to the west and Burggasse to the east
• Does it cost admission? No, you can see it 24 hours a day.

The lindworm is usually bipedal, but four or more legs are also possible. It resembles a dragon and is sometimes referred to as a subspecies, has no or only short wings and is mainly mentioned in old Germanic legends. A lindworm usually has a long tail and short legs, and is sometimes described as man-eating. The dominant color is black, while the dragon is green, which is often described as breathing fire, which is less common with the lindworm.

The Lindwurm in Klagenfurt was built at the end of the 16th century, the fountain was added about 40 years later.

The Lindwurm Legend

When Duke Karast of Karnburg ruled, there was a large number of Lake Wörthersee only wild undergrowth and moss. Seldom did anyone come down from the many pastures in the mountains. It is said that no one who dared to go down into the impenetrable darkness ever returned. The shepherds also searched in vain for cattle. Since there was usually heavy fog in the area, no one ever saw the sinister shrike that destroyed people and animals. Only growling and other sinister noises could be heard.

One day the Duke ordered the monster to be searched for and killed. But no one dared. Only cunning could lure the hidden monster out of its safe hiding place. A tower was built from which the animal could be observed. Attracted by the price of victory, a few servants dared to enter the fight: "Whoever dares to seize the monster by cunning or force will have the tower and a rich reward; the whole land from one river to the other, as far as the monster's voracious teeth now rule, will be the property of the victor; he will be free, even if he is now a slave!"

A huge bull was tied to a chain by the servants. The area was filled with deafening noise. It was not long before a terrifying worm appeared, winged and covered in armor. When the worm grabbed the bull, the servants quickly jumped out and killed the worm with spiked clubs.

A peaceful village grew up on the site of the dragon fight, and where the tower had stood, the Duke built a protective castle. Over the centuries, this castle and the village developed into the present-day State capital Klagenfurt.

By the way, the Lindwurm is not only a symbol of Klagenfurt, but also the Slovenian capital Ljubljana.