Pop Culture Gargoyles Hidden in Gothic Architecture

Gargoyles are sculptures that serve as downspouts for rain. Grotesques are sculptures that do not have downspouts, but both architectural features have been used to convey traditional stories, religious concepts, or political views. Even after their original meanings were obscured by time, people are fascinated by gargoyles.

Gothic architecture was later revived in the 18th and 19th century in England and the United States. Naturally, gargoyles became one of the stylish signatures of this new Neo Gothic architectural type. But centuries of capricious weather and a lack of care had disfigured the legions of statues that were still silently guarding the old gothic monuments. A large amount of stunning chimeras were actually falling to the ground like a plague rainfall. In order to remedy to this situation, conservation programs were started for some of them, and 20th and 21st century stone carvers were asked to replace as many destroyed gargoyles as possible. If some of them copied meticulously the medieval form of the past, others had another vision of what gargoyles could be.

Modern artists who sign on to recreate missing or damaged gargoyles sometimes use modern iconography to convey old-style symbolism. There are now gargoyles on restored cathedrals that resemble astronauts, movie characters, aliens, robots, and other recognizable pop culture icons. Read about them at Atlas Obscura.

(Image credit: Colin)