TRAVELRAGS

Paisley Abbey

Sight·PaisleyMentioned by Atlas Obscura

In the coverage1 story

Atlas ObscuraOct 30

8 Gargoyles and Grotesques Hiding in Plain Sight

What’s more wondrous than towering spires on a building? Stained glass? Vaulted windows, or garden roofs? One word: Ghouls. Nothing jazzes up a normal old cathedral or mansion more than a mischievous face etched in stone, smiling (or, more likely, grimacing) at those passing below. Gargoyles and grotesques, in their own endearingly ugly way, are one of the best ways for architects to let their…

Features a gargoyle resembling H.R. Giger's Xenomorph.

8 sights in this story
  • Paisley AbbeySightFeatures a gargoyle resembling H.R. Giger's Xenomorph.
  • Elsewhere
  • DuomoPlace of worshipFlorence, ItalyFeatures a stone bull's head facing Via Ricasoli.
  • National CathedralPlace of worshipWashington, United StatesFeatures a small carving of Darth Vader.
  • House with ChimaerasSightKyiv, UkraineAnimal-themed building with hunting-inspired gargoyles.
  • The House with the HeadsSightAmsterdam, The NetherlandsAmsterdam building depicting faces of Greek gods.
  • Carlisle CathedralPlace of worshipCarlisle, United KingdomMemorializes an officer who died in the line of duty.
  • St. Nicholas CathedralPlace of worshipNewcastle-upon-Tyne, United KingdomHas a deformed rabbit figure on its back.
  • Park Grove ManorSightOak Park, United StatesAdorned with playful, chubby-faced gargoyles and grotesques.
Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →
↑↓ to navigate · Enter to open · Esc to close