Final resting place for Brother Joseph, who created the art that is known as Ave Maria Grotto.This is a cemetery of only monks in residence at St. Bernard Abbey.

Ave Maria Grotto, in Cullman, Alabama, is a landscaped, 4-acre park in an old quarry on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, providing a garden setting for 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world. It was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on February 24, 1976, and to the National Register of Historic Places on January 19, 1984.

The stone and concrete models are the work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard's Abbey, who devoted some 50 years to the project, the last three decades (1932 to 1961) almost without interruption. They incorporate discarded building supplies, bricks, marbles, tiles, pipes, sea shells, marbles, plastic animals, costume jewellery, toilet bowl floats and cold cream jars.

Born in 1878 in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Brother Joseph was maimed in an accident that left him slightly hunched due to cervical kyphosis. He immigrated to the United States as a teenager, settling in northern Alabama. Soon afterward he began studying at the newly founded Benedictine monastery of St. Bernard, where he took his vows in 1897. Br. Joseph was not allowed to be ordained as a priest, due to the rule of the period that stated any man with a distracting disability could not be ordained a priest. He ran the monastery’s power plant and was, even by a monk's standards, a withdrawn, quiet man. Brother Joseph rarely left Alabama, where he died in 1961.

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Top Ave Maria Grotto Hotel Reviews

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Cullman

10/10 Excellent

"Room very clean. Breakfast good/adequate. "

The Golf Inn at QC Resort and RV

10/10 Excellent

"As a last minute booking, this place was absolutely perfect for my wife and I. Staff were extremely helpful and even gave us courtesy calls to ensure a smooth check in, and parking was all of 40 feet from our room. The room itself was large and spacious, with a lovely view out of the front window of a beautifully maintained pond. The water pressure in the shower was some of the best I've had in years, and the room was not overcrowded with unnecessary items. The location is about 10 minutes from Falkville, 15 from Hartselle. While many would prefer to be close to restaurants and things, this was the perfect escape from all the hustle and bustle from the outside world. The only thing I would change about this stay would be the Autumn mosquito swarms; but if you've ever lived in North Alabama, you know that comes with the territory. Otherwise, I will gladly book this property again, and for a bit of a longer stay."

Hotels near other Ave Maria Grotto attractions

Larkwood Falls

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Larkwood Falls during your travels in Cullman. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

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Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

After visiting Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Cullman. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Ave Maria Grotto?

Ave Maria Grotto is located in an area of Cullman that travelers like for its lakeside setting. You'll find 58 hotels and other accommodations within a few miles for a convenient home base.

What's the best place to stay close to Ave Maria Grotto?

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Cullman is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this hotel offers free breakfast and a restaurant. It's located 2.5 mi (4 km) from Ave Maria Grotto. Other good choices within 5 miles include Days Inn by Wyndham Cullman and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cullman.

How many hotels should I expect to find close to Ave Maria Grotto?

Expedia has 58 hotels and other accommodations a few miles from Ave Maria Grotto.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Ave Maria Grotto, will I receive a refund?

Yes, most hotel room reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel before the hotel's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Plug in your dates, click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to get the top deals on offer near Ave Maria Grotto.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip in the area near Ave Maria Grotto?

For more details about rescheduling or cancelling your stay near Ave Maria Grotto, click here.

What can I see and do near Ave Maria Grotto?

Explore nature at Larkwood Falls and Sportsman Lake Park. You might plan a visit to Funzone or Cullman Golf Course while you're in the area. If you want to see more of the surrounding area, you might plan a visit to Stone Bridge Farms and Cullman County Museum.

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Our top choices for Ave Maria Grotto hotels

The Flying Fifty, a Luxury Boutique Hotel

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Cullman

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cullman

Home2 Suites By Hilton Cullman

Hampton Inn Cullman

Comfort Suites Cullman I-65 Exit 310

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Cullman by IHG

Sleep Inn & Suites Cullman I-65 exit 310

Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott Cullman

Quality Inn Cullman I-65 Exit 310

Days Inn by Wyndham Cullman

Best Western Fairwinds Inn

Red Roof Inn Cullman

Econo Lodge Cullman South

Home2 Suites By Hilton Cullman

Quality Inn Hanceville US Hwy 31

Top Ave Maria Grotto Hotel Reviews

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Cullman

Hotels near other Ave Maria Grotto attractions

Larkwood Falls

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

Frequently asked questions