Ave Maria Grotto – a park area of four acres , in whose territory the 125 miniature models depicting the most important Christian relics. This park is located in Kullmane, Alabama.Known as “Jerusalem in Miniature”, this park is built out of concrete, stone and shells brother Joseph Dzoetti, a Benedictine monk of the nearby Abbey of St. Bernard. Joseph was born in Germany in 1878 and almost good-bye to life during the epidemic of influenza , raged in Europe. As a teenager, he moved to the United States and settled in Alabama. By accident, he received a serious spinal injury, and perhaps that is what led him to becoming a novice in a Benedictine monastery in Kullmane. At age nineteen, he took vows and became a monk. He is in charge of the monastery was a powerhouse. It was at this time, Joseph’s brother took a turn stones, the remains of mortar and other debris, he found the monastery. Of old and rusty ink bird he constructed miniatures depicting biblical scenes. His work soon attracted the attention of Father Dominic, who asked him to do two miniatures for sale which could bring some money in the abbey. Crafts brother Joseph received such a success that should be immediately purchased – and what he regarded as just fun, it was his main occupation. In total he made about 5000 models.
