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AVE MARIA GROTTO
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The Ave Maria Grotto is home to the fruitful labor of Brother Joseph Zoettl, OSB. Br. Joseph was a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Originally from Landschutt, Bavaria-Germany, a young Br. Joseph found himself headed to America to pursue monastic life at Alabama's only Benedictine Abbey. Little did anyone know that this young Bavarian would end up leaving the abbey its greatest legacy and in an incredibly humble way. Since 1934, people from around the world visit the Ave Maria Grotto to see famous parts of the world in miniature. The former abbey quarry is now the 4 acre park that the Grotto and surrounding miniatures rest upon. From Monteserrat to St. Peter's Basilica, guests can enjoy this labor of love and hopefully go away realizing how small acts of love, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can be so fruitful for years to come. 

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What Our Visitors are Saying


​Not Catholic? Don't let that stop you. The experience is universal. Brother Joseph's miniatures capture Western even some eastern images. The out door setting invites thought and meditation. Bells reminded me of a call for prayer in Cairo. The birds will gladden any nature lover's heart. Peaceful for those who yearn for it but no doubt punctuated by Catholic tradition and artifacts: December 2019

Beautiful place! The staff is helpful and courteous. The gift shop has a very nice variety of religious items.: December 2019

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