Gargoyles – Dolores Herrero

Gargoyles in Álava

The gargoyles in Álava form part of a sculptural corpus of notable interest within the broader context of art in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. These figures, conceived both as functional elements for water drainage and as carriers of symbolic meaning, reflect the continuity and reinterpretation of iconographic models over time.

At present, the photographic archive documents the gargoyles of the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate in Vitoria, a singular building whose construction in the contemporary period incorporates this type of sculpture within a historicist architectural language.

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

The following gallery presents a selection of gargoyles in Álava, documented photographically in various buildings across the province, including the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate in Vitoria.

 

Grotesque of the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate of Vitoria. It is a human skeleton with hands resting on the knees.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure with a grotesque face.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. An anthropomorphic figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A demonic monster.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A demon: a ram with membranous wings.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. An animal-like monster: a winged ram.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure with a grotesque face.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure with a grotesque face.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain))

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria. A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyles on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria).

Gargoyles on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria).

Aurelio Rivas carving the water bearer. Photography: J. R. Martínez de Muguía

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). An alien-like monster.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A figure with a human head underneath.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure: a slave.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A woman with a broom.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A plant-like monster.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A trumpet-playing angel.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A demon.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A monstrous beast.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human skeleton.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A demon.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A demon.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A demon.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A monstrous beast.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure: an indigenous woman.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure: an indigenous man.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Geometric gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria).

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain). A demon.

Cathedral of Maria Immaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Cathedral of Maria Immaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A figure with a human head beneath.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada of Vitoria. A naked man: a slave.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria). A demon with breasts.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle from the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain). It is a vegetal monster.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle from the Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain). It is a human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle from María Inmaculada Cathedral in Vitoria (Spain). It is a human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Grotesque from María Inmaculada Cathedral in Vitoria (Spain). It is a human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque. Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Grotesque from María Inmaculada Cathedral in Vitoria (Spain). It is a human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Grotesque. Cathedral of María Inmaculada in Vitoria (Spain)

Gargoyle from María Inmaculada Cathedral in Vitoria (Spain). It is a human figure.

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria

gargola esqueleto neogotico

Cathedral of María Inmaculada (Vitoria, Spain)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria

gárgola iconografía medieval

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 29

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 30

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 32

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz))

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 33

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 34

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 35

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Grotesco de la Catedral de Vitoria

Grotesco de la Catedral de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Grotesco de la Catedral de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 27

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz))

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 25

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 23

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 22

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 21

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 20

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada (Vitoria-Gasteiz)

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 19

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 18

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 9

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 12

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 13

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Álava Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria 17

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Gárgola de la Catedral de María Inmaculada de Vitoria-Gasteiz

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.