They are found next to highways, and mountain roads, and dirt tracks.
The shrines are usually small metal or concrete boxes elevated from the ground on legs or pillars.
Some are decorated in the fashion of miniature churches.
Virtually all of them have tiny glass doors, behind which a lamp will burn.
A roadside shrine by the Greece coast.
Ten years ago, these figures were twice as grim.
Still others are shrines meant toinvite prayeror rest on a long journey.
Many of these shrines, especially those near villages, are maintained by the villagers.
More modern ones have electric lights, batteries and solar panels installed.
The roadside shrines of Greece, called kandilakia, may be regarded as one of these types.
Bonus Fact: Around the British countryside are memorial stones marking the scene of especially gruesome murders.
They are known as murder stones.
Most stones were erected during the 1820s when the practice prevailed.
Typical Greek miniature roadside shrine on from Zakynthos Island.
Photo credit:Borphy/Shutterstock.com
Photo credit:Wondervisuals/Shutterstock.com
Photo credit:Robert Anders/Flickr
