Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Bytom Dragon, Smok Bytomski, Bytōmski Smok
Category: Dragon
The Myth
Krepel was a dragon said to live in the forests surrounding the early settlement of Bytom in Upper Silesia. Unlike many Polish dragons, he was not a cruel beast that preyed upon the local people, but a remarkably well-mannered creature who guarded a great treasure.
In the days when Bytom was still a small settlement on St. Margaret’s Hill, surrounded by dense and seemingly impenetrable forests, stories spread among the elders of a dragon protecting hidden riches. A young farmhand, tempted by the promise of treasure, decided to venture into the wilderness and claim it for himself.
As he approached the dragon’s territory, he passed through scorched fields and forests littered with fallen trees. The remains of knights’ armor lay scattered about, convincing him that he had finally reached the lair of the beast. He soon discovered a grotto and gripped his club, preparing himself for a battle.
But before he could enter, a voice came from inside the grotto. The dragon asked why the young man wished to begin such an unequal fight when Krepel had done him no harm. Instead of attacking him, the dragon invited him into his home and even offered him some of its treasure. There was only one problem: the grotto was too small, so the dragon asked the farmhand to go to its second residence while it went ahead to put the kettle on.
The farmhand accepted the strange invitation rather than fighting. He followed Krepel to the dragon’s other residence, where the two spent time together peacefully. Krepel kept his promise and gave the young man some of his treasure.
With his newfound wealth, the farmhand later bought a tenement in Bytom and placed an image of Krepel there in honor of the dragon who had become his friend.
Sources
“Krepel (mythology).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 26, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krepel_(mythology)