Best Tours Presents:

That's Grotesque!

An all New Tour!  A special, never seen before tour of the grotesques on the outside of the National Cathedral... a tour I've wanted to do for a long time!


When:

Check Soon for More Dates in the Winter of 2009!

What's the difference between a gargolye and a grotesque?  Why do a grotesque tour?

Grotesques are not grotesque!  They are fun, imaginative and creative little carvings designed to keep the rain water off of the building.  

A gargoyle has a lead drain pipe, usually as the carving's mouth.  A grotesque has no lead drain pipe.

Without the contraints of having to place a lead pipe in it, the grotesques are more lifelike, more naturalistic and frequently more artistic!

There are many more grotesques than gargoyles.  While there are about one hundred gargoyles, there are over one thousand groestques!

What kind of things are protrayed in the grotesques?  

Angels singing

Angels playing instruments

Noah's Menagerie - all kinds of animal!

The Old Testament Prophets

And... the carvers who worked on the Cathedral!

At the National Cathedral a team of sculptors created some of their best carvings in the form of angels, animals, and each other!

I was lucky enough to be friends with Constantine Seferlis, one of the carvers who did over one hundred carvings a the Cathedral.  Join us as I share with you some of my favorites of these hard to find carvings.


Bring binoculars!  The grotesques can be very high up, though some of them are close enough to touch!


Price:  $20 per person

Meet:  Meet at the west front of the National Cathedral, which is the main entrance.  

The Cathedral is located at the corner of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Ave., NW.  Parking is available in the new underground parking lot.  The Woodley Park or Tenley Town Metro stops are the closest to the Cathedral, but it's about a half hour walk from there.  A cab might help out from the Metro!

For More Information, contact me at OUTNAWAY@HOTMAIL.COM.