Drakmärket (Dragon Mark)

The Dragon Mark Johan SWE (Atlas Obscura User)

The small Baltic island of Hanö, pop: 35, in southern Sweden is often described as picturesque. However, before the mid-1800s, it was a different story. Back then, frightened mainlanders nearby claimed to hear nightly screams across the waters from the island. Local legends spoke of not only ghosts and pirates but also tales of a fire-breathing dragon.

According to island folklore, this dragon was so immense that a single flap of its wings could carry it six miles (10 km). When the island’s first lighthouse was built and lit in 1869, the dragon happened to be flying by, and it was struck by the light, blinding it. Enraged, it attempted to attack the lighthouse but missed, crashing into a rock wall instead.

Ever since, an imprint that vaguely resembles a flying dragon can be seen on a granite cliff just below the beacon. The legend warns that if this mark, called Drakmärket (Dragon Mark), were ever to be covered with moss or grass, the world would come to an end.

Science, however, offers a less colorful explanation. It states that Hanö’s mythical rock etching was created when a layer of old gneiss was penetrated by granite magma during ancient geological events.

Know Before You Go

Despite signposts and blue-painted marks on the rocks to guide you, finding Drakmärket can be a bit tricky at first. Due to this and the rocky terrain, the walk from Hanö harbor might take longer than the 9 minutes estimated by Google Maps.

Hanö, in Blekinge county's western archipelago, is a 25-minute boat ride from the mainland fishing village of Nogersund. Check Blekingetrafiken's website for seasonal timetables and ticket fare updates. Free parking is available at Nogersund harbor, which is also reachable by regional bus no. 2 from the nearest city, Sölvesborg.