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National Cathedral

Place of worship·WashingtonMentioned by Atlas Obscura
National Cathedral
Photo: cathedral.org
“Visit, tour, worship, and more at Washington National Cathedral. Join us and explore the world's sixth-largest Gothic cathedral.”
— cathedral.org
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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 small carving of Darth Vader.

8 sights in this story
  • National CathedralPlace of worshipFeatures a small carving of Darth Vader.
  • Elsewhere
  • DuomoPlace of worshipFlorence, ItalyFeatures a stone bull's head facing Via Ricasoli.
  • 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.
  • Paisley AbbeySightPaisley, United KingdomFeatures a gargoyle resembling H.R. Giger's Xenomorph.
  • Park Grove ManorSightOak Park, United StatesAdorned with playful, chubby-faced gargoyles and grotesques.
Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →
More sights in WashingtonCongressional CemeteryGrave of Captain Jones's LegGrave of Captain Jones’ LegNational MallSmithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology InstitutePotomac River
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