This abandoned and ruined palace, in addition to its rich history, has a peculiar architectural curiosity, namely "ornaments" in the form of gargoyles and gargoyles. It is difficult to imagine the rehabilitation function of this facility, because its last destination is a correctional facility for young people (reformatory).
"Queen Elizabeth Lime" with a circumference of 7 meters and a height of 26 meters
But let's return to these peculiarly beautiful ornaments - that is, gargoyles and gargoyles.
Mascaron or mascaron (from Italian mascherone, in French mascaron) - is a decorative motif, "ornament", depicting the figure of a human or fantasy head, used in architectural sculpture. These characters are always ugly and ugly, and the uglier the better, because it was believed that the greater their ugliness, the more effectively they chase away evil demons at the sight of their likenesses, warn against evil, and at the same time protect against it (here it is worth taking a look at some faces of current politicians).
Mascarons were used as ornaments of e.g. a capital, a bracket, a column, a keystone, most often in the Gothic, Renaissance or Baroque periods. The most famous in Poland are mascarons in the Krakow Cloth Hall.
Another beauty on the walls of manors, churches and palaces or castles are Gargoyles (Latin gargulio "throat"), or gargoyle, blunderbuss, spit, spit. This individual, apart from the task of deterring others like himself, performed at least one useful function, namely - it was the end of the gutter. His figure protruded beyond the walls, from which rainwater flowed freely as far away from the building as possible, which protected it against damage and excessive moisture. Initially, gargoyles were made of stone, as they progressed from sheet metal. During the Gothic period in France, they took fanciful forms of human faces, animal maws, and fantastic creatures (eg Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris). From France, they spread throughout Europe.
And finally, such a personal reflection. The deterrent option does not work nowadays, especially on the Internet, because whenever a Gargoyle appears, Mascarons will soon arrive.
© copyright marianomariano, Photo: Panasonic Lumix
Poland is a place to visit :)
Definitely ;)
Thank you :)