Gargoyles in A Coruña

The gargoyles in the province of A Coruña form part of the sculptural heritage associated with historic architecture. These figures, conceived as waterspouts designed to channel rainwater away from the walls, appear on both religious and civil buildings. In addition to their hydraulic function, many of these sculptures develop a rich symbolic repertoire reflecting the medieval imagination and later iconographic traditions.

In the province of A Coruña, several gargoyles survive as part of architectural ensembles of considerable historical interest. Some represent animals, while others adopt fantastic or hybrid forms related to the medieval imagination. Anthropomorphic or grotesque figures can also be found, revealing the creativity of the sculptors and the iconographic richness of architectural sculpture designed to channel rainwater.

Among the buildings where these sculptures can be observed are churches, monasteries, manor houses and other monumental constructions across the province. Notable examples can be found in Santiago de Compostela, such as the Monastery of San Martín Pinario and the historic Hospital Real — today the Parador of Santiago de Compostela —, as well as in other architectural complexes in the province, including the Pazo de Meirás (Sada).

Some of these gargoyles can be explored in greater depth in the blog posts devoted to these buildings, where their iconography, function, and meaning are analysed within their artistic and historical context.

The following gallery presents a selection of gargoyles in the province of A Coruña, documented photographically in various historic buildings across the province.

Gargoyle on the Towers of Meirás (Sada, Coruña). A real animal: a bird.

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Meirás Towers (Coruña, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Towers of Meirás (Sada, Coruña). A real animal: a pig.

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Towers of Meirás (Sada, A Coruña). It is an animal monster.

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Towers of Meirás (Sada, A Coruña). It is a real animal: a pig.

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Geometric gargoyle from the Towers of Meirás (Sada, A Coruña).

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Towers of Meirás (Sada, A Coruña). It is a human figure.

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Gárgola de las Torres de Meirás

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Towers of Meirás (Sada, A Coruña). It is an anthropomorph.

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Towers of Meirás (Sada, A Coruña). It is a real animal: a dog.

Meirás Towers (Sada, A Coruña, Spain)

Demon gargoyle of the Monastery of San Martín Pinario in Santiago de Compostela. It is holding a mask in its hands.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle of the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain). It is a hybrid with spiral wings.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle of the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain). It is a demon with membranous wings and a protruding tongue.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle or chimera of the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). It is a mythological animal: a harpy.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Grotesque of the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). It is a mythological animal: a mermaid.

Grotesque. San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle of the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). It is a mythological animal: a mermaid.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A fantastic monster.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a ram.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a donkey.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon holding a mask.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A vegetal monster.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Demonic gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). It has large fangs and bodily protuberances.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a rooster.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An anthropomorphic figure.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon with its hands covering its face.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A rampant demon.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon with a goatee.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An animal with a bone in its mouth.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An anthropomorphic figure with the head and body of a fish.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon with spiral wings.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A rampant demon with spiral wings.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a pig.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a fish.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An animal-like monster with scales and webbed feet.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon with wings and claws.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon with membranous wings and claws.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon with membranous wings and webbed feet.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An animal with long fur.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a bird.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An anthropomorphic figure with a leaf on its body.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a rampant dog.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a rampant lion.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An animal with eyes featuring visible pupils.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An anthropomorphic figure with its hands on its mouth.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An anthropomorphic demon.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An animal-like monster.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A monster with a tail and scales.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An animal adorned with leaves on its body.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a lion with its hands on its mouth.

Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A mythological creature: a harpy.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A mythological creature: a siren.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Mermaid or triton

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A demon.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Mermaid or triton

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Boar

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Dog

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A mythological being.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Lumia or moura

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Ram

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A real animal: a dog.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Dog

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A winged demon.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Bird

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). An anthropomorphic figure with leaves.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Monasterio de San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela)

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Lamb

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Monastery of San Martín Pinario (Santiago de Compostela). A fantastic creature.

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Donkey

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Bird

San Martín Pinario Monastery (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela. The water flows from the anus.

Royal Hospital in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

Gargoyle on the Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain). A monstrous beast.

Royal Hospital in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

Casa da Parra (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Casa da Parra in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

Casa da Parra (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Casa da Parra (Santiago de Compostela)

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Hospital Real

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Hospital Real

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gárgola del Hospital Real (Santiago de Compostela)

Monstrous gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyles from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). It is a real animal: a dog.

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Demoniac gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). It is a human figure.

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). It is a real animal: a ram.

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). It is a real animal: a pig.

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). It is an animal monster.

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)ostela

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Demonic gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gargoyle from the Royal Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

Royal Hospital (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Gárgola del Hospital Real de Santiago de Compostela

Old Hospital of San Roque (Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Old Hospital of San Roque

Gargoyle on the Collegiate Church of Santa María del Campo (Coruña). A naked man.

Collegiate Church of Santa María del Campo in A Coruña (Spain)

Collegiate Church of Santa María del Campo in Coruña (Spain)

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Spain)

Cathedral

These images are part of the documentary archive dedicated to the study of gargoyles created by Dolores Herrero Ferrio, focused on the research, documentation, and dissemination of these sculptural figures in Spain and other countries.

All photographs in this gallery are the property of Dolores Herrero © doloresherrero.com.
They are protected by copyright.
For academic, educational, editorial or any other use, please contact:
lola@doloresherrero.com.