Washington, DC - Gargoyles, Washington National Cathedral

The National Cathedral is the 6th largest cathedral in the world and likely to be the last Gothic cathedral ever built. It has 112 gargoyles (rain-diversion devices with a spout) and over 1,000 other grotesques (without a spout). When people think of gargoyles, most envision monsters and dragons and the like. Many of the National Cathedral gargoyles, on the contrary, are very whimsical and quirky. For example, the "Angelic and the Mischievous Grandsons" and "The Birdwatcher" were suggested by their respective donors. "The Master Carver" with a devil hoof and steam rising from his head is one of the stone carver's representation of the boss. All 112 gargoyles can be seen at http://www.dcmemorials.com/Groups_NationalCathedralGargoyles_All.htm. They're arranged in just the right way to help visitors find the gargoyles while they walk around this beautiful building. [Marv Solberg, 11/25/2007]