Gargoyles and Grotesques, rated PG-13 (by Michelle)

So far we've visited over 25 churches with the kids and looking for gargoyles has been one way to keep everybody interested. If you think the old churches of Europe are only full of pious images you're about to see otherwise . . .

The word "gargoyle" comes from the same root that gives us "gargle" and they are essentially decorated water spouts designed to remove excess water from church roofs. Grotesques are carved figures found on columns, under choir benches, above doors, everywhere. Most people though (including us) call them both gargoyles. They are often scary, grotesque or crude. Their purpose is to scare away evil spirits, but Simon and Eva have decided that their real purpose is for making evil spirits laugh. The irony to me is that if I were an evil spirit I think these are the sort of thing that I might find welcoming. Who knows.

Here is a fun sample. These mischievous lads (hmm, I guess from the wings that they are "angels"?) are hiding under the choir seats in the Burgos Cathedral. Look closely at what they are doing. Another, and the most gross, variation on this theme is one Alex found on the facade of the famous Universidad de Salamanca-- two creatures pooping on the tortured bearded fellow.


As you can imagine, the kids are loving this high culture in Europe. Exactly the sort of thing that an 11 or 8 year old boy can relate to.


Another purpose of gargoyles and grotesques is to scare you into righteousness with scenes of hell which is what you get on this doorpost of a church in Ávila on the right. You may not want to look too closely. Yep, that is a lion eating a man while ripping his . . . well . . . you get the picture.

Here is one of my favorites. I don't know what this poor woman did to deserve this, but here she is stuck holding up the choir chair railing in Burgos Cathedral forever, with her head. And naked no less!

I hope that I am not sounding overly cavalier about what are to many people very sacred buildings. I love cathedrals. They are often inspiring and even spiritual, but look at these pictures yourself and tell me, don't they make you laugh or at least squirm a bit? Maybe I'm wrong, but I have to believe that the artisans are still laughing.