Gargoyle

A gargoyle is a type of sculpture that is usually attached to a building, such as a church or a castle, and serves as a water spout.

The word gargoyle comes from the French word gargouille, which means "throat" or "gullet", and refers to the sound of water flowing through the sculpture.

Gargoyles are often carved in the shape of grotesque or fantastical animals, such as dragons, lions, or chimeras.

They are said to protect the building from evil spirits and to ward off harm.

Some gargoyles are also purely decorative and do not have any function as water spouts.

These are called grotesques, chimeras, or bosses.

Gargoyles have a long history in architecture, dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

They became especially popular in medieval Europe, especially in Gothic cathedrals, where they were used to divert rainwater away from the walls and the foundations.

Some of the most famous examples of gargoyles can be found in Notre Dame de Paris, Westminster Abbey, and the Cathedral of St.John the Divine.

Gargoyles have also inspired many legends, stories, and artworks.

One of the most famous legends is that of the Gargouille, a dragon-like creature that terrorized the city of Rouen in France.

According to the legend, the creature was captured and killed by St.Romanus, the bishop of Rouen, and its head was mounted on the wall of the cathedral as a reminder of the miracle.

Gargoyles have also appeared in literature, such as Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and in movies, such as Disney's Gargoyles.

They are fascinating examples of art and engineering, as well as symbols of culture and mythology.

They continue to capture the imagination of people around the world.

The word gargoyle comes from the French word gargouille, which means "throat" or "gullet".
This word is related to the sound of water gurgling through the spouts of these sculptures.
The word gargouille also refers to a legendary dragon-like creature that was said to terrorize the city of Rouen in France.
According to the legend, a bishop named St. Romanus captured and killed the beast, and its head was mounted on the wall of a church as a warning to other evil spirits.
Some people believe that this story inspired the use of grotesque and frightening figures as gargoyles in Gothic architecture.
Gargoyles are not only decorative, but also functional, as they help to divert rainwater away from the walls and foundations of buildings.