Guardians of the Cathedral

Last updated on December 5th, 2023 at 10:10 pm

This most interesting relief sculpture is displayed down the side of the Cathedral of Salamanca, Spain Some people say diver but the most agreed on astronaut. This church was built in the 17th century. Far too early for space travel.

Ancient Astronaut!!! I was a huge watcher of that series, but the explanation is more realistic. The Cathedral of Salamanca underwent renovations in 1992. The astronaut was added to the side and people have been visiting him since.

We need to always be cautious for another explanation before we accept an item as faith.

Gargoyle were created for several reasons. As gutters for rainwater. True Gargoyles will be leaning over the side. They will have elongated body, stretched neck and wide-open mouths.

They are guardians keeping away evil and watching churchgoers entering their place of worship. They can also be people or animals.

Grotesques or chimera decorate churches and cathedrals, but they are more for decoration.

This is a true gargoyle and a true alien. Seen at the Paisley Abbey in Scotland. When the abbey was restored in 1992.

Many gargoyles existing since Medieval times are falling apart. Modern restorations on churches and cathedrals have included chimeras and gargoyles.

Some keep to the traditional styles.

Others have been more whimsical.

This Roman Catholic chapel, the Bethlehem Chapel, renovated in 1995. Added as symbols of good and evil, the beloved Mogwai and the evil Stripe. (Many viewers mistake him as Spike. I have both videos. Their names are Gizmo and Stripe.)

Now how could I not include this vid?

If you go hunting for gargoyles, bring binoculars for some are quite high up staring down at you.

Our own National Cathedral in Washington D.C. has Darth Vader. He is hard to see so I got a good photo of him.

 If you visit Lincoln in the East Midlands of England, you can see their Cathedral Imp. Several Imps were inside causing trouble with their pranks. An angel appeared and told them to leave. One called back that he was never leaving. And he is still there

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The gothic Cathedral of Cologne, Germany has a nice addition. You can see the newest Pope Francis. He sits up in the archway, leaning over with raised hand to bless everyone who enters inside.

At last, my favorite for I love weird bunnies. The Vampire Rabbit of Newcastle.

You will have to go to Newcastle Cathedral. Go around the backstreet and see the buildings. They overlook an ancient cemetery and contain several offices including one for solicitors (Lawyers). The bunny is perched above. Installed in 1901, this odd but peaceful gray bunny merely watched.

But during a restoration of the building, he somehow turned black with fangs, glowing red eyes, and blood red claws.

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https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-vampire-rabbit-of-newcastle-newcastle-upon-tyne-england

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/pop-culture-gargoyles-in-gothic-architecture

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Churches_in_Loire-Atlantique

https://kultt.fr/chapelle-de-bethleem-gremlins/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cathedral-of-salamancas-astronaut

https://www.boredpanda.com/gargoyle-statues-vomiting-ice/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/pope-francis-gargoyle-now-watches-over-cologne-cathedral