The Gargoyles and Grotesques of Orvieto

Photos © Walter S. Arnold

Orvieto is an ancient Italian hill town about one hour North of Rome. Wandering the narrow streets you will come across many wonderful architectural details. Many of the buildings are built of the local Tufa stone, a porous volcanic rock. 
 
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Bacchus arch keystone Caryatid door post door handles from the Antico Trattoria Etrusca Wrought iron dragonsFace in a window lintel
arguing with a gargoyleI'm arguing with a gargoyle fountain over who is uglier. Guess who lost.
Bronze door knocker with a cross-eyed tigerthree faces appear in this crestvery strange face on a carved stone bracketWrought iron dragon
wind god on a ceramic pot There are lots of small ceramics stores in Orvieto with locally produced vases, plates, and other decorative and functional pieces. Many are quite creative and beautiful. A vase with an orange lion mask with long ears
dolphin column capitalThis unique dolphin column capital shows that there is more to life than just Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

The Cathedral of Orvieto

The Cathedral took 300 years to build, starting in 1290. The front of the cathedral has incredible carved marble with very elaborate mosaic inlays. Gargoyles protrude from the walls, parapets and spires. Inside are the famous frescoes of Luca Signorelli.
Cathedral spires with gargoyles extending out from the corners True gargoyles drain water from the cathedral roof and parapets, jutting out from the base of the spires and from the walls of this church. Gargoyles protruding from the wall
a dog or lion gargoyle on the cathedral facade Looking up the cathedral you see gargoyles jutting out from all sides and from the roof. Looking up the front of the cathedral, gargoyles jut out at the top
Elaborate twisted marble columnsThese marble columns were carved with precise twist forms and inlaid with geometric mosaics. The math and measuring required for these elaborate shapes is quite impressive. This cathedral displays a vast range of creativity examples of stone work. 
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