Restored ornamentations known as chimera are once again atop the parapets of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.
They were reinstalled last week, marking the latest in a process of recasting the terra cotta figures throughout the structure.
There are 58 figures in all, known collectively as grotesques: 26 on top called chimera and 32 on the side called gargoyles.
The gargoyles are decorative false rainspouts, and the chimeras are decorative anthropomorphized figures atop the facade modeled after the ones at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. While both are decorative features at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, the gargoyles on Notre Dame Cathedral and others have a practical function as downspouts, projecting rainwater from the building.
The chimeras and gargoyles were made from terra cotta due to its lightweight nature and ability to withstand rain, freezing and thawing. The grotesques were removed in 2023 for recasting. The gargoyles began getting reinstalled earlier this year.
Haley Parnell contributed reporting to this article.