THE MEANING OF LIFE

"The meaning of life" was the expression the guide used to present me the gargoyles that are overlooking this cloyster in the Museum of the City of Faro. There are 12 gargoyles in the cloyster: one male gargoyle, one female gargoyle, nine pregnant gargoyles and another one holding a baby.

Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Museu Municipal de Faro), 16th century, Faro

MONSTERS

Museu Municipal de Faro (cloister). Beneath the pregnant gargoyles, these bas-relief flowers in bloom open up like a twisted mouth at their core.

CHICKEN

Palácio dos Bicainhos (17th century), Braga. A stone bird at a water tank's edge in the garden.

TRIUMPH OF THE BAROQUE

This is the bigger sister of the previously posted fountain in Guarda. And how much bigger! This fantastical concoction of mythological beings dominates the top of a hill overlooking the city. The architecture seems practically pulverized in mermaids's tails, wavy capitals and tentacle-scrolls, but nonetheless there is a strong design structure underneath. As mentioned this was part of an estate which disappeared long ago and then was integrated into a monotonous fascist piazza/garden.

MAYBE BETTER DAYS WILL COME

Statue at the church-convent complex of São Francisco, Porto.

BARROCAS

As the weather triumphs over the limestone, the Cross triumphs over the Dice in the church of Barrocas, Aveiro. Maybe there is some other meaning to the number on the faces of the die. But who knows, and who cares - this is as glorious a window as can be.

CASA DA ÍNSUA

Stone rail, detail at main entrance

STONE SCULPTURE