Whose bone is that? You might ask yourself that, standing before the Duomo of Milan. Take a closer look at the facade, to the right of the central doorway. There, nestled in the lower part of the marble frieze, is a small dragon. This is no ordinary decoration. This is the Drago Tarantasio, immortalized in stone. The Drago Tarantasio wasn’t always a silent stone carving. Legend tells of a time when it terrorized the region, lurking in the depths of Lake Gerundo. This lake, long since vanished, was said to be a breeding ground for disease and fear. This fearsome dragon, a creature of myth and legend, was said to devour children and animals alike. Its breath, a poisonous miasma, spread terror through the Lombardy countryside. The stories vary about who finally defeated the beast. Some whisper of Frederick Barbarossa, others of Saint Christopher. A popular tale credits the victory to a member of the Visconti family, forever linking the dragon to Milanese history. Look for their coat of arms, and you’ll see the Biscione, a serpent devouring a child, a chilling reminder of the Drago Tarantasio.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to