Photography

Old Crank

(6,924 posts) Sat Mar 7, 2026, 08:32 AM Mar 7

Gargoyles, Caen Cathedral

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

17 replies

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Gargoyles, Caen Cathedral (Original Post) Old Crank Mar 7 OP

Very nice photos Old Crank. Hideous looking things. Cool close-ups. George McGovern Mar 7 #1

Thanks Old Crank Mar 7 #2

I read that gargoyles were used to divert water away from sides of buildings. George McGovern Mar 7 #3

The primary purpose is draining water Old Crank Mar 7 #10

It should Old Crank Mar 7 #13

Fabulous. cachukis Mar 7 #4

Thanks Old Crank Mar 7 #11

These photos take me back to Art History class. TY Old Crank! Diamond_Dog Mar 7 #5

All these gothic structures are pretty impressive in the stone. Old Crank Mar 7 #12

The fourth one... GiqueCee Mar 7 #6

Is this like a Rorschach test? JohnnyRingo Mar 7 #7

Aside from draining water from the building sides, Old Crank Mar 7 #14

OK. JohnnyRingo Mar 7 #17

Wonderful photos, my dear Old Crank! Love the variety and the close-ups. Great work! CaliforniaPeggy Mar 7 #8

Thanks Old Crank Mar 7 #15

Very nice! Shellback Squid Mar 7 #9

Thanks Old Crank Mar 7 #16

George McGovern

(11,657 posts)

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

Reply to Old Crank (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 08:52 AM

Mar 7

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

Old Crank

(6,924 posts)

2. Thanks

Reply to George McGovern (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 09:01 AM

Mar 7

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

(11,657 posts)

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

Reply to Old Crank (Reply #2)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 09:11 AM

Mar 7

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

Old Crank

(6,924 posts)

10. The primary purpose is draining water

Reply to George McGovern (Reply #3)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 11:56 AM

Mar 7

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

Old Crank

(6,924 posts)

13. It should

Reply to George McGovern (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 12:05 PM

Mar 7

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

cachukis

(3,889 posts)

4. Fabulous.

Reply to Old Crank (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 09:40 AM

Mar 7

Old Crank

(6,924 posts)

11. Thanks

Reply to cachukis (Reply #4)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 11:58 AM

Mar 7

Some stone mason did all the work.

Diamond_Dog

(40,381 posts)

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

Reply to Old Crank (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 09:43 AM

Mar 7

Must be awe inspiring to see this building for real.

Old Crank

(6,924 posts)

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

Reply to Diamond_Dog (Reply #5)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 11:59 AM

Mar 7

GiqueCee

(3,987 posts)

6. The fourth one...

Reply to Old Crank (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 10:00 AM

Mar 7

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

JohnnyRingo

(20,818 posts)

7. Is this like a Rorschach test?

Reply to Old Crank (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2026, 10:51 AM

Mar 7

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.