Unexpected gargoyles in the Caribbean // MONOMAD CHALLENGE

I walk through the streets of my city, a city near the tropics. Though it’s somewhat unusual and hard to believe, I find gargoyles adorning churches. Gargoyles are a less common architectural element here than in Europe, but they can still be found in some colonial religious temples.

Their purpose goes beyond decoration, as they traditionally served as drains to prevent rainwater from damaging the walls. However, in the context of tropical cities like mine, they also took on symbolism related to evangelization and the blending of cultures.

In Cuba, religious colonial architecture features gargoyles more modestly compared to other countries, as many churches followed Baroque and Neoclassical styles, which were less inclined to include these elements. Their presence is more decorative than functional, since the tropical climate didn’t require drainage systems as extensively as in Europe.

Some theories suggest they also served as protective elements, tied to religious beliefs to ward off evil. Their presence is a testament to the fusion between European art and local adaptations during the colonial era.

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