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The gargoyles were there to lead water from the roof. The architects then found other solutions.
Gargoyles were simply decorated water spouts, their purpose was to direct water which was running off a church roof away from the walls of the building.
Gargoyles are merely sculptured waterspouts on older buildings to allow rainwater to drain from the roof. They were generally sculptured to resemble animals and mythical creatures. The purpose was similar, the shapes varied.
A gargoyle is just a carved waterspout to drain water from the roof. Usually found on ornate buildings such as churches.
The word gargoyle is from the Old French word gargouille meaning throat (Their job is to spit out the water from the roof)! ----
Gargoyles are typically found between the rain gutters and downspouts near the tops of walls. The word 'gargoyle' has a common root with the word 'gurgle'. Both refer to the sound of rainwater coming off the roof and into a pipe. Many gargoyles were constructed to have the water jet away from a building's wall so that the water would not destroy masonry and wood. Others divert the water into drainage systems.
gargoyles were put in place to scare off evil spirits Gargoyles are weird stone figures which are half human and half animal or half bird. They sit on edges of roofs of many old cathedrals, palaces, and other buildings. But these frightening figures are not there to frighten away passers-by; they serve a very useful purpose. Gargoyles are actually waterspouts to catch the rain as it flows off the roof. This water is piped into the mouths of the gargoyles and is emptied into the street, instead of dripping down the sides of the building and damaging it. Stoneworkers who created these gargoyles in medieval times are said to have represented their friends in the grotesque forms of these gargoyles. Some people believe that gargoyles were named from the French word gargouiller, which means "to gargle." Perhaps this is true, since people do make strange and even grotesque faces when they gargle water in their throats.
gargoyles are based on greek and roman mythology......... Nope ! Gargoyles are weird stone figures which are half human and half animal or half bird. They sit on edges of roofs of many old cathedrals, palaces, and other buildings. But these frightening figures are not there to frighten away passers-by; they serve a very useful purpose. Gargoyles are actually waterspouts to catch the rain as it flows off the roof. This water is piped into the mouths of the gargoyles and is emptied into the street, instead of dripping down the sides of the building and damaging it. Stoneworkers who created these gargoyles in medieval times are said to have represented their friends in the grotesque forms of these gargoyles. Some people believe that gargoyles were named from the French word gargouiller, which means "to gargle." Perhaps this is true, since people do make strange and even grotesque faces when they gargle water in their throats.
They are called gargoyles
Gargoyles are weird stone figures which are half human and half animal or half bird. They sit on edges of roofs of many old cathedrals, palaces, and other buildings. But these frightening figures are not there to frighten away passers-by; they serve a very useful purpose. Gargoyles are actually waterspouts to catch the rain as it flows off the roof. This water is piped into the mouths of the gargoyles and is emptied into the street, instead of dripping down the sides of the building and damaging it. Stoneworkers who created these gargoyles in medieval times are said to have represented their friends in the grotesque forms of these gargoyles. Some people believe that gargoyles were named from the French word gargouiller, which means "to gargle." Perhaps this is true, since people do make strange and even grotesque faces when they gargle water in their throats.
They were decorative Gargoyles were made from limestone and sometimes marble They were used to drain rainwater from rooftops Few architects or masons use them anymore They were often found on church buildings and important buildings.
Most gargoyle statues or architectural pieces come from Europe. They were made in order to carry water from the roof during the rain.