BRUSSELS, Belgium — A stone gargoyle projects from the exterior wall of Brussels Town Hall on Grand Place. This medieval architectural element, combining decorative sculpture with practical drainage function, exemplifies Gothic architectural craftsmanship. The gargoyle represents part of the building's extensive Gothic ornamental program, dating from the 15th century.
Photograph by David Coleman. The gargoyles of Brussels Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville in French, Stadhuis in Dutch) represent both practical engineering and artistic achievement in medieval architecture. These sculptural waterspouts, carved from local stone, served the essential function of directing rainwater away from the building's walls while contributing to its Gothic decorative scheme. The gargoyles form part of the original 15th-century architectural program, demonstrating the skilled craftsmanship of medieval stonemasons who combined utility with artistic expression. Each gargoyle exhibits detailed carving characteristic of the Brabantine Gothic style, featuring grotesque or fantastic creatures common in medieval ecclesiastical and civic architecture. These architectural elements contribute to the Town Hall's status as a masterpiece of Gothic civil architecture and its inclusion in the Grand Place UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1998. The gargoyles remain functional components of the building's original drainage system while serving as striking examples of medieval sculptural art.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Grand Place, Arrondissement Brussel-Hoofdstad, Brussels Capital Region, Belgium
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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