Alabama is home to many amazing places. Of all these places, one stands out among the rest because of its uniqueness. This unique place that Alabama is proud to call its own is the one and only Ave Maria Grotto, which is located in Cullman.
flickr/Daniel Thornton
Ave Maria Grotto, known as “Jerusalem in Miniature,” is a four-acre garden park that’s located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey—in an old quarry. It features 125 miniature reproductions of historic buildings and religious shrines that were created by Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. This incredible project took him nearly 50 years to complete. A few of the discarded items he used to complete his project included costume jewelry, sea shells, tiles, bricks, marbles and plastic animals.
flickr/Daniel Thornton
These beautiful photos show how amazing Ave Maria Grotto truly is:
flickr/Jeffrey Peeden
flickr/Jeffrey Peeden
flickr/Roger Smith
What do you think? Have you ever visited this unique garden park in Alabama? If not, don’t forget to add it to your summer bucket list. It truly is an amazing place!
flickr/Jeffrey Peeden
flickr/Roger Smith
Ave Maria Grotto 1600 St Bernard Dr Cullman, AL 35055
Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
*Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
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