Christ Church Cathedral

In Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, embedded cats were found. Cats were also found embedded in other places in Europe. In many cases, there is clear evidence that dead cats were deliberately embedded in a wall cavity, or placed under a door threshold to ward off evil. Sometimes they were even still alive. This animal sacrifice is thought to originate from pagan customs. From the Middle Ages onward, cats were associated with magic, superstition, and the devil, witches, the underworld... This practice, which became widespread in Europe from the Middle Ages, may have its origins in pre-medieval building sacrifices. Although the pagan meaning was later lost, embedded cats were still seen as bringers of luck, according to traditional superstition, as late as the 19th century.

This practice was also found in other places:

-in the Predikherenklooster in Mechelen

-at the cemetery of Saint-Maclou in Rouen, France

-in the castle of Combourg near Saint-Malo, a cat mummy is on display

-in Schloss Laubegg in Austria

-in the pub Three Stags' Heads in Wardlow Mires, England

-in the pub The Stag Inn in Hastings too

-in the crypt of the St. Nicholas Church in Wiuwert in Friesland

Pascal Brackman