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One of the oldest existing U.S. Christian tourist attractions, the Ava Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama, will celebrate its 75^th anniversary this weekend with events on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18.

Sometimes given the nickname “Jerusalem in Miniature”, Ava Maria Grotto is a four acre park featuring 125 miniature reproductions of famous historic buildings of faith.  What began as a hobby for Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey, turned into a work that spanned three decades.

The Basilica in Lourdes was the last miniature to be completed by Brother Zoettl, at the age of 80, in 1958.  At the beginning, the miniatures were displayed at the monastery’s recreational grounds, but the large number of visitors required a new location.  The present site was first dedicated on May 17, 1934.

All of the miniatures were created by Brother Zoettl using cast off materials he had at hand and from handed down trinkets from the locals.  He designed the models from pictures in postcards and photographs.

Abbot Cleatus Meagher, O.S.B. said that Brother Zoettl’s work “has inspired countless thousands to marvel at the grace of love at work in him. His ‘Sermons in Stone’ tell the story of the wonder and love and goodness to humankind.”

The weekend’s festivities begin with a 5k run hosted by St. Bernard Prep School.  Seymour Lenz, author of Raised in the South by Benedictine Monks at St. Bernard Abbey, will be in the newly renovated Grotto gift shop for a book signing from 10am to 1pm.  On Sunday at 2pm there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for both the newly renovated gift shop and a statue honoring Brother Zoettl.  The public is invited to attend.

“We are grateful for the new addition of the gift shop.  The last time any major work was done at the grotto was in the late 1960’s.  The new facilities are very pleasing to the eye,” said Abbot Cletus.

The Ava Maria Grotto is located in Cullman Alabama, 49 miles north of Birmingham.  Take I-65 Exit 308 3.5 miles east to St Bernard Dr SE; turn right to enter the grotto, located on the St Bernard campus.  Admission is $7 adult, $5 senior, $4.50 children ages 6-12, and free to children under 6.  It is open daily from 9am-5pm during Autumn & Winter months, and open until 6pm Spring and Summer.

Todd “The Christian Travel Guy” Posey is a leading authority on U.S. Christian tourist attractions and destinations. He may be found at http:Christiantravelguy.com/blog.