The Dragon on Tampa Mountain

Shortly after Brasov had been erected among the mountains, the story goes that a dangerous dragon made its dwelling in a little cave on the heights, called today „Bethlen” cave. When the horrible monster was hungry, it used to fly in the valley, swallowing men and beasts, terrifying all the surroundings.

A student, the son of the then mayor, came to the stronghold to learn by heart his prayer. He found a little peaceful spot near the town’s wall and become to say his prayer with

such fervour that the dragon heard him. The student couldn’t run and got swallowed.

A deep sorrow spread across the entire town, because the people loved the hopeful young man. His parents could hardly bear the pain.

A stranger went then to the mayor and said: „Nothing can be done with violence against this horrid animal. But artfully we might be able to kill it. If we hurry, we can save your son”. The mayor promised him a big reward. The stranger filled a calfskin with burnt lime and put the trap on a meadow within the stronghold walls. He then hid and bellowed like a calf. The dragon heard him, saw the calf, flew towards it and swallowed it with ravenous appetite. It felt then deeply thirsty so it flew to the nearest water to quench its thirst. But the burnt lime began to absorb the water and engirt so hard that the dragon cracked.

This is how it was saved the student who was still living. The grateful father plenty rewarded the cunning stranger. In memory of the miraculous saving of his son, he ordered his subjects to carve the image of the dragon on the wall climbing Tampa hill, from the eastern corner of the town to the cattle shelter on Tampa heights.