A religious grotto is a natural or artificial cave, often associated with religious devotion. Grottoes have a long history and were associated with various gods in Greek and Roman culture. With the Christianization of the Roman Empire, most pagan temples that were built in grottoes were converted into Christian churches, continuing the association of the divine with unique caves and rock formations. Biblically speaking, the prophet Elijah discovered the presence of God while in a cave. Today, artificial grottoes are purchased and built for ornamental and devotional purposes, often used as shrines in which to place statues of saints, particularly the Virgin Mary, in outdoor gardens. Many Roman Catholics visit a grotto where Bernadette Soubirous saw apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa, is an example of a religious shrine built in a grotto.