The dragon Godart von Wachtberg
The dragon is the heraldic animal of the municipality of Wachtberg in the "Drachenfelser Ländchen", which was founded in 1969. In 2019, the Förderverein für Kunst und Kultur in Wachtberg e. V. (KuKiWa) donated this iron dragon sculpture to mark the 50th anniversary of the municipality of Wachtberg. Numerous sponsors from Wachtberg, but also far beyond the municipality's borders, provided extensive support for the project financially, through material donations, technical equipment and with advice and assistance; the foundation was laid by the municipality.
The dragon, which is a good five metres high, was created in a school project under the direction of Wachtberg artist Willi Reiche with pupils from a year 10 class and their art teacher. A substructure was constructed from round and flat steel, which was later clad with so-called burr scrap (a surplus material produced by drop forging) to give the dragon its scale-like surface and unique, airy design. Details such as the ears, paws and teeth were also made from scrap metal. A solar cell with battery was integrated into the back of the dragon's head to provide the energy for the red glowing dragon eyes after dark.
The dragon bears the name Godart, derived from Count Godart von Drachenfels, who once resided on Drachenfels and moved the family seat to the Wachtberg moated castle of Gudenau near Villip around 1402.
Despite the widely visible radome of the Fraunhofer FHR as a landmark of the municipality of Wachtberg, the Wachtberg dragon on the traffic island of the roundabout at the shopping centre has quickly established itself as a new landmark and enjoys great acceptance, enthusiasm and admiration - not only among the people of Wachtberg. Above all, the "dragon project" initiated and organised by the KuKiWa support association has brought many people together and proved what can be achieved with enthusiasm, networks and a good measure of trust and courage - in the truest sense of the word. The dragon contributes to cross-local identification with the community, but is also a popular excursion destination, photo motif and popular figure - regardless of age, gender, origin, ...
Links to the Godart dragon:
https://www.kukiwa.de/wachtberger-drache/
https://wachtberger-drache.blogspot.com/p/wachtberg-und-der-drache-godart.html
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