Gargoyles, Caen Cathedral

[Old Crank]

Caen was heavily impacted during the D-Day invasion. The Cathedral was rebuilt. Here are some of the gargoyles from it.

[George McGovern]

1. Very nice photos Old Crank. Hideous looking things. Cool close-ups.

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

[Old Crank]

2. Thanks

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]

3. I read that gargoyles were used to divert water away from sides of buildings.

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

[Old Crank]

10. The primary purpose is draining water

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

[Old Crank]

13. It should

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

[cachukis]

4. Fabulous.

[Old Crank]

11. Thanks

Some stone mason did all the work.

[Diamond_Dog]

5. These photos take me back to Art History class. TY Old Crank!

Must be awe inspiring to see this building for real.

[Old Crank]

12. All these gothic structures are pretty impressive in the stone.

[GiqueCee]

6. The fourth one...

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

[JohnnyRingo]

7. Is this like a Rorschach test?

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]

14. Aside from draining water from the building sides,

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

[JohnnyRingo]

17. OK.

I'll take my tongue back out of my cheek

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Wonderful photos, my dear Old Crank! Love the variety and the close-ups. Great work!

[Old Crank]

15. Thanks

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

[Shellback Squid]

9. Very nice!

[Old Crank]

16. Thanks