Topic: the wonderful travels of Rick Steves
Sheila LaBoof started this discussion 7 years ago #82,124
excert from https://backpackingwithkris.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/chapter-15-2/At the Merchants’ Market, we see some gargoyles partaking in some questionable actions. In particular, on one corner of the building there is a man masturbating, on the front of the building there is a man squatting, taking a poo, and on the other corner there is a man masturbating into a jar. Kind of weird, right? Turns out that these gargoyles were created as signs of disrespect to the church: an organization with great wealth and power in historic Valencia that was commissioning the impoverished locals to construct these enormous buildings. Ironically, the gargoyle with the most significance is the male masturbating into a jar; primarily due to its strategic positioning just above a pathway that was frequented by priests of the time. Therefore, when it rained, the jar would fill up with water and metaphorically cover the passing priests in semen. Yes, the Valencians were very upset with the Catholic Church. After we all get a good chuckle out of their unique gargoyles, we all cross the street and enter the Central Market of Valencia.