The word gargoyle evolved from the old French gargouille, meaning "throat." Traditionally, gargoyles served as rain spouts, until the advent of modern plumbing in the 16th century. Since then, their purpose is mostly aesthetic, though some would say that these demonic sculptures repel the world's true evils.
The Villa Rivera gargoyles are more properly called grotesques, because they are purely decorational. The Villa Riviera is home to four grotesque varities: the dog, the bear, the eagle and the griffin.
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