'Gargoyles of the Milano Cathedral, Italy' - by K.J.S.Chatrath

I have been fascinated by gargoyles for quite a while now. A gargoyle  is a carved or formed grotesque with a spout designed to send water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between. I have been taking photos of gargoyles during my trips to various countries and also to Hindu temples in India. I would be putting up these photos separately. However when I recently visited the Milano Cathedral in Italy I saw the structure really studded with gargoyles. The Duomo has 3400 statues, 700 figures and 135 gargoyles, including 96 large ones. 



So presently let me focus on the gargoyles of Milano Cathedral (Duomo di Milano). Its construction of the Cathedral in Milan,  in Gothic style, started in 1386 by the archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, on the site of the former cathedral Santa Maria Maggiore. Saint Carlo Borromeo reconsecrated the church in 1572. The main spire, built in 1769, is 109 meters high and has on top a golden laminated statue of the Madonna. The main construction of the cathedral including the west facade were finished in 1813. Duomo is the seat for the Archbishop of Milan and is dedicated to Saint Mary Nascent.




The word gargoyle derives from the French gargouille, meaning "throat."  gargoyle, quite likely, comes from the French legend of "La Gargouille," a fearsome dragon that terrorized the inhabitants of the town of Rouen.As the legend has it, around 600 AD, there lived a dragon called Gargouille   in a cave on the banks of the River Seine near Rouen. It had wings, a reptile's body with a long tail, clawed feet, and fiery eyes and breath. It spread terror amongst the inhabitants of the area causing devastation and death, and its fury was placated only by human sacrifices. It was St. Romanus who, according to  legend, arrived in the city and succeeded in capturing the monster. The dragon's head and neck were placed on the walls of Rouen, the ramparts defending a city. By the way, I am planning to visit Rouen in November this year to take some photographs and learn more about this legend.


While the gargoyles prevent damage to the Cathedral and can therefore be called as the protectors, it is difficult to link the grotesqueness of their shapes to any technical reasons.These gargoyles were inserted into the masonry and therefore, depending upon their position with respect to the phases of construction of the Cathedral, it is possible to determine the date when they were carved: from the end of the 14th century, to the 18th century, when the walls of the last bays to be built were completed with decorative and symbolic elements.

In an attempt to raise money for necessary repairs to the Duomo, authorities have decided to create an 'adopt a gargoyle' scheme. Floaters of the scheme are hoping to raise €25million, which will be  enough to cover all the repair costs. Any benefactor who contributes over €100,000 (Indian Rupees 82,00,000 aprox.) to the cathedral will have their name inscribed underneath a gargoyle. Reportedly so far, the cathedral have received eight donations of €100,000 as well as several smaller donations.










                                              A retired gargoyle in the Duomo museum.


The gargoyles on show in the museum are the works of anonymous masons. These were removed to preserve them during the restoration work on the external walls of the Duomo from the 1960s onwards. 

(Text based on information sourced from the internet)

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