# Legend of Krakus and the Wawel Dragon (700)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/700-legend-of-krakus-and-the-wawel-dragon
Location: Kraków

According to legend the ruler Krakus founded Kraków on Wawel Hill after a dragon terrorising the area was killed by a clever shoemaker's trick. Within the broader Slavic Tribes period: Slavic tribes settled the region from the sixth century, building fortified gords and tribal territories. Legends of Lech, Krakus and Piast preserve memories of this age, which ended with the rise of the Polans around Gniezno. At this point in the timeline (700), the governing authority was Krakus (Legendary ruler of Kraków). Legendary founder of Kraków and slayer of the Wawel Dragon; the Krakus Mound is traditionally regarded as his burial place. This ruler is known only from legend or from a later chronicle tradition, so the dating is approximate. Legend of Krakus and the Wawel Dragon mattered because cultural achievements helped preserve and define Polish identity and influence beyond its borders. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Legend of Krakus and the Wawel Dragon mattered because cultural achievements helped preserve and define Polish identity and influence beyond its borders.

Ruler at the time: [Krakus](https://poland-history.com/rulers/krakus)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Wawel Dragon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wawel_Dragon)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Legend of Krakus and the Wawel Dragon](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Legend+of+Krakus+and+the+Wawel+Dragon)
- [Wikipedia — Polish tribes (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_tribes)