How This Small Massachusetts Town Became One Of The Most Unique In America

If you stroll along the streets of Somerville, you’ll notice plenty of old homes with sweeping porches, young people and families out for a stroll, and a plethora of tempting restaurants.

However, another recurring feature might catch your eye. The town of Somerville is actually covered in homemade shrines known as “Bathtub Marys.” And we’re not just talking a dozen or even a few dozen of these things. This town has hundreds. Over 600, by some counts.

Read on to learn more about this quirky but beautiful town of bathtub shrines.

Flickr/Em

Flickr/sushisque

So what is a Bathtub Mary? Essentially, it’s a sculpture of the Madonna tucked into a vertical bathtub that has been half-buried in the earth.

These shrines began to appear after World War II, when the post-war boom led to families installing new shower-bathtub combos. The old tubs were ousted, and many wound up serving as makeshift shrines.

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If you wander around Somerville, you’re bound to come across a few of these shrines. Many are prominently displayed in the front of homes, while others are tucked away towards the back of properties. Finding as many as you can will keep you busy all afternoon.

Flickr/Em

Flickr/Em

Of course, not all of the shrines are in actual bathtubs these days. Many are housed in wooden structures, while others have even found a home in wishing wells and handcrafted stone arches or niches.

Many residents have chosen to take further creative license with their shrines, and adorn them with blinking lights, toys and inflatable decorations. A shrine is sometimes referred to as a "Mary on the Half Shell," for obvious reasons.

Flickr/gtu

Local librarian Cathy Piantigini and anthropologist Deborah Pacini have been instrumental in documenting and mapping the shrines. As new owners snap up valuable Somerville real estate, some of the Marys are being evicted from their bathtub abodes. This makes Piantigini’s and Pacini’s work essential to preserving the legacy of these uniquely charming shrines.

If you want to see these quirky shrines for yourself, all you need to do is wander around Somerville.

Somerville is truly a unique Massachusetts spot. For more Bay State towns with something special about them, check out these 15 towns that you absolutely must visit this year.