A couple of years ago, we first noticed a sign on the interstate indicating an exit to a place called Ave Maria Grotto. We’ve seen it many times since but didn't think much of it until I decided to look it up online because I got tired of wondering to myself what is this place, each and every time I see this sign and then quickly forgetting about it as we drive past it.
As you can see from the photos, to our pleasant surprise, Ave Maria Grotto turned out to be an interesting place to visit. We had intended to just stop by and take a quick look around but ended up spending most of the afternoon there. It was time well spent though. The grounds were pretty and serene. We appreciated all the detailed work at the Grotto of many pilgrimage sites, churches, and statues.
Ave Maria Grotto is located in Cullman, Alabama, at St Bernard Abbey. It was originally built by a monk from the abbey named Br Joseph Zoettl. He used parts found around the house, so to speak, to make a mosaic of these religious sites and statues. When word got out that he was doing this, people sent him pieces of glass and the like to add to his work.
The tradition continues by the people at the abbey. There’s a small fee to enter, and then it is self-guided and self-paced. We'd spend the entire day there if we could. My children enjoyed all the little details of each miniature landmark and still talks about the grotto to this day. (We may have to go back again and allot more time to spend here on the next trip.) If you’re ever in the area, make time to stop by. It’s worth the stop; we’re certainly glad that we did.
