Why Notre Dame's Gargoyles Are More Than Art

People often assume they're simply decorative but the gargoyles are vital to the structure of Notre Dame, serving as part of the water drainage system. Still in use today, when the drainage system was built in the Middle Ages, it led to significant architectural advancements for the cathedral.

[WillScarlet]

Having worked in an American cathedral for many years, one thing I constantly had to deal with was visitors from ultra-religious groups, mainly from southern and midwestern organizations, who saw the gargoyles as "pagan" or "graven images" and wanted them taken off. I would try to explain the art in them, the style, effort and the general fun they added to the place by their presence. The blank stares those people would give me were shocking. Artistic merit seemed like a totally alien concept to them.

[emberash]

I'm floored... I did an essay in my freshmen year of college on gargoyles and gothic architecture; my professor wanted to publish it but I have no idea what transpired as I didn't follow up with it; I moved on to veterinary medicine...

[bartholomewceremony]

This explains a gutter system and avoids telling the reason for the gargoyle itself. Trust me symbolism is far more important than they want you to know.

[jamestaylor]

Hey folks I host many Universal Characters within me, these Characters look like Galactic beings, They have showed me and opened my 3rd eye, what I see is wonderment and pure truths, They show me the Universal knowledge of space, time is irrelevant. I have a picture and my third eye to prove my gifts from the Creator and maybe an artist can draw the 100’s of Universal Characters within me.Proof is pure.Love is the Key folks

[btetschner]

Very interesting, thank you for the video.

[dgames]

No way demonic art in a cathedral yeah right peganism satanism? But thats not a church of God