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8 Christian Cathedrals with the Geekiest Gargoyles and Grotesques #1 Chapelle de Bethleem

Gremlin, Bethlehem Chapel near Nantes, France

Aliens, Chapelle de Bethléem

Gremlin, Bethlehem Chapel

Aliens, Bethlehem Chapel

Grendizer (Japanese Manga), Bethlehem Chapel

Classified as a historic monument in 1911, restored from 1993 to 1995, the chapel has pinnacles where certain newly created chimeras resemble products of American film culture and Japanese animation.

#2 Paisley Abbey

Gargoyle that looks suspiciously like the alien from the movie Aliens, located on Paisley Abbey in Renfrewshire, Scotland.

Paisley Abbey in Renfrewshire, Scotland

#3 Washington National Cathedral

Darth Vader, Washington Cathedral

Fly with can of Raid, Washington National Cathedral

Man in gas mask, Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral

#4 St. Vitus Cathedral

Goofy Gargoyle, St. Vitus Cathedral in the Czech Republic

Most of the Gargoyles on the St. Vitus Cathedral are sticking out there tongues, which was a common way of depicting death in the past and a convenient way of diverting water off the roof from their spout like mouths. Those that do not divert water in this way are often considered to be grotesques. Although many grotesques (which do not have water spouts) serve to divert water off the roof, among other purposes, and can therefore be considered gargoyles as well.

We tend to call any piece of architectural sculpture that depicts animals a gargoyle. Strictly speaking, however, gargoyles are decorative waterspouts that preserve stonework by diverting the flow of rainwater away from buildings.

St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague

#5 Freiburg Cathedral

Hilarious gargoyle,  Freiburg Cathedral in Germany

Freiburg Cathedral in Germany

#6 Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

#7 Rufford Abbey

Rufford Abbey in England

Rufford Abbey in England

#8 York Minister Cathedral

York Minister Cathedral in York,  England

York Minister Cathedral

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