Medieval architects incorporated sculpture into their buildings in a variety of ways:
1. As decorative elements: Sculptures were added to the external facades of buildings to add ornamental details and to break the monotony of the building's surface. Gargoyles, human figures, animals, and floral motifs were popular decorative elements.
2. As structural support: Sculptures of figures, animals, and other mythical beings were used to support the arches and vaults of the building. The weight of the roof or upper floors would be channeled through the sculptures onto the columns, thus providing additional support to the structure.
3. As narrative elements: Sculpture was often used to tell stories or depict religious scenes. Churches and cathedrals had intricate stone carvings that depicted scenes from the Bible, and these were often arranged in a sequential order so as to tell a story.
4. As symbols of power: Sculptures of monarchs, nobles, and other influential figures were sometimes added to the design of buildings to convey the wealth, power, and influence of those who commissioned them.
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