Astronomer Dragon
Dragon Trail
The astronomer dragon stands by the wall of the Botanical Garden, across Kopernika Street.
History
The Astronomer Dragon stands at 27 Kopernika Street, in front of the Botanical Garden. In its paws it holds instruments familiar from paintings of Nicolaus Copernicus. It is a reminder of the history of astronomy in Kraków, especially of the first state astronomical observatory, which was housed in the Collegium Śniadeckiego in the neighbouring garden. It invites you to discover the achievements of Kraków's astronomers: Copernicus, Jan Śniadecki, Tadeusz Banachiewicz and Kazimierz Kordylewski. The neighbouring garden, founded in 1783 by the Commission of National Education, is the oldest botanical garden in Poland.
Did you know?
Kraków's prime meridian, one of the oldest in the world, runs through the garden, set at 19° 57' 21.21'' east longitude. According to the city's description, Copernicus used it in his calculations.