I hope I've put this post in the right place. I came across this photo the other day and learned a new word at the same time, automatonaphobia. I'm guessing that this in in Europe so hopefully someone can tell me where this is and maybe the story behind it? Much obliged.

It's most probably a gargoyle,

Thousands of them on churches and other old buildings. The ones of Notre-Dame in Paris are probably the most famous.

Yermanee

BTW The word gargoyle comes from the French "gargouiller" i.e. to gurgle.

Edited December 4, 201213 yr by yermanee

Yermanee, danka very much. The Wiki entry on gargoyle was very informative, explaining the need to funnel rain water away from the masonry, hence the open mouth, and various church messages. I don't recall ever seeing one in human form before and that's what's so unnerving, but less so now that I know the everyday necessity of them.

Must say, That's much creepier than a gargoyle.

Here's a link to creepy indigenous beastie at my aussie alma mater

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k7obIH7aiw8/TQ1slE-2HNI/AAAAAAAAGHk/rp_6-Yq0NdM/s1600/fujifilm%252Bsydney%252Bpics%252B131.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.citywalker.net.au/2010/12/kangaroo-gargoyle-at-sydney-university.html&h=1200&w=1600&sz=239&tbnid=Au3U2yrDeKiFXM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsydney%2Buniversity%2Bgargoyles%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=sydney+university+gargoyles&usg=__r1wk6MMxagOiMPaXl6qj3GFbilw=&docid=0_TDPwUW0NvEBM&sa=X&ei=PtC9UIXLGoTSrQfWz4GIAw&ved=0CEsQ9QEwBQ&dur=454