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Gargoyles, Caen Cathedral (Original Post) Old Crank 3 hrs ago OP
Very nice photos Old Crank. Hideous looking things. Cool close-ups. George McGovern 3 hrs ago #1
Thanks Old Crank 3 hrs ago #2
I read that gargoyles were used to divert water away from sides of buildings. George McGovern 3 hrs ago #3
The primary purpose is draining water Old Crank 25 min ago #10
It should Old Crank 16 min ago #13
Fabulous. cachukis 2 hrs ago #4
Thanks Old Crank 23 min ago #11
These photos take me back to Art History class. TY Old Crank! Diamond_Dog 2 hrs ago #5
All these gothic structures are pretty impressive in the stone. Old Crank 22 min ago #12
The fourth one... GiqueCee 2 hrs ago #6
Is this like a Rorschach test? JohnnyRingo 1 hr ago #7
Aside from draining water from the building sides, Old Crank 14 min ago #14
Wonderful photos, my dear Old Crank! Love the variety and the close-ups. Great work! CaliforniaPeggy 49 min ago #8
Thanks Old Crank 12 min ago #15
Very nice! Shellback Squid 45 min ago #9
Thanks Old Crank 12 min ago #16

George McGovern

(11,594 posts)
1. Very nice photos Old Crank. Hideous looking things. Cool close-ups.
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 07:52 AM
3 hrs ago

No. 4 appears to be reacting to the invasion itself.

Old Crank

(6,879 posts)
2. Thanks
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 08:01 AM
3 hrs ago

I have been shooting gargoyles when I can since I was in Paris the first time with my late wife. We burnt a roll of film on mostly those creatures. These are all relatively new I believe. Most on older, unrestored churches are badly weathered.

George McGovern

(11,594 posts)
3. I read that gargoyles were used to divert water away from sides of buildings.
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 08:11 AM
3 hrs ago

And keep evil spirits away. On your trips you and your wife meet the strangest creatures.

Old Crank

(6,879 posts)
10. The primary purpose is draining water
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 10:56 AM
25 min ago

Somewhere down the line they decided a pipe sticking out was ugly. Now they ward off evil spirits, perhaps.

Old Crank

(6,879 posts)
13. It should
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 11:05 AM
16 min ago

It took about 6 weeks to liberate Caen after D Day. Less than 10 miles from the coast.

Diamond_Dog

(40,329 posts)
5. These photos take me back to Art History class. TY Old Crank!
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 08:43 AM
2 hrs ago

Must be awe inspiring to see this building for real.

GiqueCee

(3,892 posts)
6. The fourth one...
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 09:00 AM
2 hrs ago

... looks a little like Trump. Guess the orange makeup washed away over time.

JohnnyRingo

(20,781 posts)
7. Is this like a Rorschach test?
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 09:51 AM
1 hr ago

From a distance they take on a rather phallic appearance to me.
I'm not sure what that says about me, but it's the first thing I saw and I wonder if it's intentional.

Old Crank

(6,879 posts)
14. Aside from draining water from the building sides,
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 11:07 AM
14 min ago

They are supposed to scare evil away.
Some building have shorter spots.

Old Crank

(6,879 posts)
15. Thanks
Sat Mar 7, 2026, 11:09 AM
12 min ago

We actually caught a break in the clouds. I used the time while waiting for our group to decide on a lunch place.

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