Hurricane Deflector Grotto

Key West, Florida

In 1922 Sister Louis Gabriel led a contingent of nuns and, using local coral rock, built an Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine grotto behind St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church. According to local lore, she blessed the structure at its May 25 dedication and vowed, "As long as the Grotto stands, Key West will never experience the full brunt of a hurricane."

Since that day, Key West has been in the path of several hurricanes, but has suffered surprisingly minimal damage. Locals attribute this to the dedication of Key West residents, who regularly make pilgrimages to the Grotto to light candles and pray for protection.

So be careful: don't interrupt the devout if you visit, or you might break the good mojo.

The Grotto grounds also offer a Rosary Path -- resembling a giant loop of rosary beads with a dangling cross -- and a nun graveyard where some of the tombstones incorporate sculpted nun heads, including Sister Gabriel's.