Last May 2, 2009 - in the occasion of the priesthood ordination of my schoolmate in St Meinrad seminary, Brother Bede of St Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama - I had a great chance to visit the famous Ave Maria Grotto's miniature miracles. This miniature historical landmarks were listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. It was also recognized by "Southern Living", Ripley's "Believe it or Not", and "Alabama Heritage" magazines.
The Ave Maria Grotto contains more than 125 miniature replicas of biblical structures and world-famous landmarks and buildings in a four-acre landscaped park located inside the St Bernard Abbey's monastery property.
The Ave Maria Grotto contains more than 125 miniature replicas of biblical structures and world-famous landmarks and buildings in a four-acre landscaped park located inside the St Bernard Abbey's monastery property.
The builder of the Ave Maria Grotto was a benedictine monk, Brother Joseph Zoetti, OSB who first erected the first replicas on the monastery grounds of St Bernard Abbey. But in the course of time, it was decided to move the miniatures to the present site which orginally served as the rock quarry for the Abbey. On May 17, 1934 (whewww, I was not even born that time huh!) the Ave Maria grotto was dedicated. The last miniature that Brother Joseph added in the collection was a model of the Basilica at Lourdes.
The Ave maria grotto which was known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in miniature", beautifully landscaped in a four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines known to man.
If you are near Alabama and you want to see for yourself these little 'miracles', then by all means, visit St Bernard Abbey.
The Ave maria grotto which was known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in miniature", beautifully landscaped in a four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines known to man.
If you are near Alabama and you want to see for yourself these little 'miracles', then by all means, visit St Bernard Abbey.
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