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They were put on buildings to scare people into coming to church. If they did not come, they were condemned to live with these horrific creatures for eternity. Wrong!!!!!!!!!! The real answer is: 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.

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Q: Why were gargoyles placed on buildings and what was their purpose?
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What are facts on gargoyles?

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.


What Were Gargoyles All About?

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.


What do gargoyles repersent?

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.


What are gargoyles based on?

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.


Were do gargoyles come from?

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.

Related questions

Where were gargoyles placed on buildings?

To scare away bad spirits.


Are there different types of gargoyles?

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.


What are scary faces on old buildings called?

Gargoyles!


What are the different uses of gargoyles?

Gargoyles were used for putting on the top of churches and buildings. It was good because, when it rained heavily the rain dripped of the gargoyles and the buildings didn't leak. They were also good for decoration. Sometimes people put them up so that it would scare bad spirits or bad people away.


Can you help with my homework i need info on gargoyles?

Gargoyles are statues that are placed on buildings like medieval castles, they have open mouth's purely as when the rain starts and you are standing under one you wont get wet as the water is collected in the mouth but if there was an intruder you would tip the gargoyle over so the rain would fall on them, sometimes gargoyles are confused with grotesques which are statues to scare evil spirits away as they are so ugly.


Where in France would you find a gargoyle?

Gargoyles are ornamental water spouts for draining water from the roofs of buildings. Particularly older churches and cathedrals. Many such have gargoyles on the eves of their roofs.


Is gargoyles female or male?

They are neither. They are representations of supernatural "monsters" meant to protect buildings from demons.


What are facts on gargoyles?

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.


What Were Gargoyles All About?

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.


What do gargoyles repersent?

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.


What are gargoyles based on?

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.


Were do gargoyles come from?

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.