Title: Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [Ave Maria Grotto Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Ave-Maria-Grotto-Hotels.0-l6124389-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Cullman](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Cullman.d6057735.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Cullman](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Cullman.d6057735.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Ave Maria Grotto Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Ave-Maria-Grotto.d6124389.Car-Rental-Guide)[Cullman Vacation Packages](https://expedia.ca/Cullman.d6057735.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Ave Maria Grotto Tours and Activities ![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 He ran the monastery’s power plant and was, even by a monk's standards, a withdrawn, quiet man.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. ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6057735/f10f98ee-727f-4b65-a3db-5e860093e056.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Ave Maria Grotto Activities [Cullman travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Cullman.dx6057735) --- --- ### Popular places to visit ![Bit of. A hick in but man is it gorgeous !](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561855854/416f2d66-7390-49e4-8ed8-b95ed792cc5b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Hurricane Creek Park Explore the great outdoors at Hurricane Creek Park, a lovely green space in Falkville. Stroll along the lakeside or discover the area's waterfalls. [](https://expedia.ca/Hurricane-Creek-Park-Falkville.d553248621561855854.Vacation-Attraction) ![This 270 ft covered bridge was built in 1921 and the only remaining bridge of it's kind in Cullman County. It was used mainly by farmers. It spans the Crooked Creek, site of Civil War Skirmishes under Nathan Bedford Forrest. Many relics have been found around this creek and can be viewed at the museum just down the road. This bridge is open to foot traffic and also offers picnic areas and walking trails. An old water mill is located on the property too. #roadtrip](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6124379/53c76dc9-484a-441e-af54-a74c851b29e8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Clarkson Covered Bridge Learn about the local history of Cullman when you spend time at Clarkson Covered Bridge. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside. [](https://expedia.ca/Clarkson-Covered-Bridge-Cullman.d6124379.Vacation-Attraction) ![Smith Lake at Unicoi State Park in Georgia](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6124377/9bf2fa77-5d37-4abf-a9dc-07c70ed6ba5b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Smith Lake Park Explore the great outdoors at Smith Lake Park, a lovely green space in Trimble. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside. [](https://expedia.ca/Smith-Lake-Park-Cullman.d6124377.Vacation-Attraction) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Larkwood-Falls-Cullman.d769506036953247744.Vacation-Attraction) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Sacred-Heart-Of-Jesus-Church-Cullman.d769327398242951168.Vacation-Attraction) #### Cullman County Museum You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Cullman County Museum in Cullman. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside. [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-County-Museum-Cullman.d6124381.Vacation-Attraction) --- ## Best Lodging Options Near Ave Maria Grotto ## Check availability on hotels close to Ave Maria Grotto [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=2026-03-24&endDate=2026-03-25)[Mar 24 - Mar 25](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=2026-03-24&endDate=2026-03-25) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=2026-03-25&endDate=2026-03-26)[Mar 25 - Mar 26](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=2026-03-25&endDate=2026-03-26) [This weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=27%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026)[Mar 27 - Mar 29](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=27%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=03%2F04%2F2026&endDate=05%2F04%2F2026)[Apr 3 - Apr 5](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6124389&startDate=03%2F04%2F2026&endDate=05%2F04%2F2026) ![Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Cullman](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/96000000/95710000/95703900/95703885/2799df50_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Cullman 1835 Main Ave SW Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-Cobblestone-Hotel-Suites-Cullman.h95703885.Hotel-Information) ![Days Inn by Wyndham Cullman](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/20000/10300/10274/8c6cd0c5_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Days Inn by Wyndham Cullman 1841 4th St Sw Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-Days-Inn-By-Wyndham-Cullman.h10274.Hotel-Information) ![5 min walk to warehouse district! Hot tub!!! ](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/103000000/102080000/102074700/102074602/w1290h714x0y0-9cc95e08_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### 5 min walk to warehouse district! Hot tub!!! Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-5-Min-Walk-To-Warehouse-District-Hot-Tub.h102074602.Hotel-Information) ![La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cullman](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15690000/15689200/15689123/b0004e6a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cullman 2054 Saint Joseph Drive Northwest Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-La-Quinta-Inn-Suites-By-Wyndham-Cullman.h15689123.Hotel-Information) ![The Flying Fifty, a Luxury Boutique Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/106000000/105390000/105385600/105385556/52bc292f_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The Flying Fifty, a Luxury Boutique Hotel 515 4th St SW Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-The-Flying-Fifty-Hotel.h105385556.Hotel-Information) ![Best Western Fairwinds Inn](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/500/442/w3837h2560x3y0-a61f6dcc_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Best Western Fairwinds Inn 1917 Commerce Avenue Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-Best-Western-Fairwinds-Inn.h442.Hotel-Information) ![Comfort Suites Cullman I-65 Exit 310](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2140000/2133600/2133516/6850ee8d_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Comfort Suites Cullman I-65 Exit 310 2048 St Joseph Dr Nw Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-Comfort-Suites-Cullman-I-65-Exit-310.h2133516.Hotel-Information) ![Sleep Inn & Suites Cullman I-65 exit 310](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/470000/466800/466759/409f8343_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Sleep Inn & Suites Cullman I-65 exit 310 2050 Sr 157 Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-Sleep-Inn-Suites-Cullman-I-65-Exit-310.h466759.Hotel-Information) ![Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Cullman by IHG](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/900000/892200/892149/7f0b1a3e_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Cullman by IHG 2052 Hays Dr Cullman AL [](https://expedia.ca/Cullman-Hotels-Holiday-Inn-Express-Hotel-Suites-Cullman.h892149.Hotel-Information) [See all 638 properties in Ave Maria Grotto](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=6124389) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. 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