What seemed to be a moment of panic next to the Cathedral de Palma de Mallorca eventually became a curious summer story. Several tourists were ‘shocked’ when they see a supposed crocodile floating in a city center lake, but behind it was a realistic sculpture inspired by a local legend, according to the digital newspaper Okdiario.
Sculpture surprises tourists
The episode took place at Parc de la Mar, one of the most visited zones of the larger capital. In the artificial lake that extends at the feet of the famous Cathedral, what many thought were a true crocodile. The surprise of the passers -by was immediate, with mobile phones in hand to record the moment.
In fact, it was a three-meter-long sculpture, created by artist Ricard Chiang. The piece, with about 150 pounds, was placed on site as part of an artistic intervention inspired by an ancient Majorca legend. According to the same source, the work caused astonishment, but also fascination between tourists and residents.
A tribute to the Legend of Drac de Na Coca
The sculpture represents the mythical Drac de Na Coca, a figure of local folklore that dates back to the seventeenth century. According to tradition, this “dragon” lived in the underground tunnels near the Call neighborhood, terrorizing the population. The legend says that he was killed on a dark night by Captain Bartomeu Coch, who took the animal’s body as a trophy.
Over time, it was found that the dreaded monster was, after all, an African crocodile, probably brought to the island on a merchant ship.
The embalmed copy has been found since then at the Diocesan Palma Museum, where it is today one of the most emblematic pieces of the collection.
According to the digital newspaper, the sculpture now placed on the lake was created with salt-resistant materials and is attached to the bottom by steel chains. The artist, who initially thought to share the idea only on social networks, eventually introduced the project to the municipality, which welcomed the proposal.
Art, History and Tourism in the City Center
More than a tourist curiosity, the initiative has a cultural goal. Ricard Chiang donated the play to the city of Palma and explained that the work intends to connect the past to the present through contemporary art. The intervention also caught the attention of the local mayor, Jaime Martínez, who underlined the value of projects that combine tradition, history and artistic creativity.
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