Tourism & Parks - City of Cullman
Tourist
Attractions
& Local Parks
For more information contact
Cullman City Parks &
Recreation,
Cullman County Parks &
Recreation, or the
Cullman County Museum.
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Ave Maria Grotto "The Scenic
Shrine of the South"
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The
Ave Maria Grotto is
located just outside the Cullman city
limits on U.S. Highway 278 East at 1600 St. Bernard Drive
Southeast on the grounds of Alabama's only
Benedictine Abbey, St. Bernard Abbey. The Grotto covers more
than three acres and contains over 125 miniature
reproductions of famous churches, shrines and buildings from all
over the world!
Brother Joseph Zoettl, O.S.B., of the Community of Benedictine Monks,
was a monk at St. Bernard Abbey for almost seventy years. He came
to the monastery in 1892 and remained there until his death in
1961. He began building the miniature concrete and stone replicas
around 1912 and built his last in 1958. In 1934, the Ave Maria Grotto park was opened
on the site of a former stone quarry.
People come from all over
the world to view this beautiful hillside cluster of small buildings.
Amazingly, Brother Joseph's talent was so great that
he reproduced the entire Grotto simply from memory, snapshots or old
postcard pictures. Of all the replicas he created, he had seen only
six in person.
The Grotto is open every day from 7 a.m. until
sunset, except Christmas Day. Admission is charged; group rates
are available. For more information, call (256) 734-4110.
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Clarkson Covered
Bridge
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Located just off of Highway 278 West, eight miles west of I-65,
Clarkson Covered Bridge is one of the longest covered bridges in the State of
Alabama and was the site of the Civil War Battle of Hog
Mountain in 1863.
The bridge has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.
A park complete with a old-fashioned grist
mill and pond, hiking trails, picnic grounds and beautiful scenery
is located next to the bridge. For more information,
call (256) 734-3052.
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Cullman County
Museum
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The
Cullman County
Museum, which opened in 1973
during Cullman's Centennial, is housed in a replica of
Col. Cullmann's
home. The museum brings the past to life in its displays, paying
tribute to the families that made the area their home. Each room
showcases a different aspect of life in early Cullman.
The Archeological Room houses artifacts from the earliest Cullman
County settlers, the Native Americans. The centerpiece of the room is
a seven-foot tall Indian warrior carved from a sweet gum tree. Located
in the Primitive Room are turn-of-the-century tools used to carve a
living out of Cullman County's hilly landscape. Wood rafters and walls
taken from old local barns are the backdrop for plows, lanterns,
household items, and other fixtures of daily living. In the Clothing
Store, imagine what wearing one of the articles on display -- ranging
from bustles to a 1920s bathing suit -- would be like.
Then, take a walk along Main Street. Various turn-of-the-century
shops showcase items found in photography studios, doctors' offices,
gun shops, and other specialized stores. The center of the room shows
off a wishing well, the original school bell, and a beer wagon replica
housing scrapbooks on Cullman life. And the Nursery, with its dolls,
toy plane and tea sets, brings to mind childhood pastimes. One wall of
the South Room -- the Wall of Pictures -- is a photographic history of
Cullman County. The rest of the room is a reminder of parlors and
music rooms.
The highlight of the museum is the re-creation of Col. Cullmann's
Room, containing his own bed, rocking chair and sofa as well as other
items from his life.
The museum is located at 211 Second Avenue Northeast, across the street
from Cullman City Hall. Small admission is charged. Great group
rates available. For more information call the Cullman County Museum
at (256) 739-1258 or visit their site at
www.cullmancountymuseum.com.
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Cullman
Depot
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The Cullman Depot is located just one block east of
U.S. Highway 31 North at 309 First Avenue Northeast. The United Way of Cullman County
offices are located inside the depot.
The Pueblo style stucco building was restored from 1994-1997 by the
Citizens of Cullman County with the help of the Alabama Historical
Commission and Alabama Department of Transportation. It has been
designated a historical landmark by the National Register of Historical
Places.
There are vintage railroad related items on display in the lobby and a
restored red caboose on display on the east side of the depot. For more
information, contact Charlene Nix at (256) 739-2948.
Depot
Park is located right in front of the Cullman Depot.
It is a passive park, sidewalks for walking and a
beautiful fountain. It is used for various events
including Oktoberfest activities, arts and crafts
fairs, and weddings. To book Depot Park for an
event, please
email Leanne West
or call (256) 775-7102.
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Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center
at Chester Freeman Park
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The
Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center is
conveniently located at 1636 Field of
Miracles Drive.
This 110,000 sq. ft. facility contains
an outdoor water park, outdoor & indoor
leisure pools, 8-lane competition pool,
full fitness center, indoor rubberized
walking track, aerobic and cycling
classes, outdoor cabana bathrooms, large
locker rooms with saunas, full
concession stand, and much more!
Click here or call 256-775-0220 to find
out more about the Cullman Wellness &
Aquatic Center! |
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Festhalle Market Platz
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 Festhalle
Market Platz,
located at the corner of 1st Avenue and
Arnold Street Northeast, is Alabama's largest
timber-frame structure, next to Cullman's
historic Warehouse District! The Festhalle
Market Platz hosts a variety of events
throughout the year including a Farmers Market,
and the annual Cullman Oktoberfest.
For more information visit the
Festhalle Market Platz page in our site!
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Weiss
Cottage
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WeissCottage,
located at 401 1st Avenue Southeast, is Cullman's oldest house. It was
home to Dr. Aldo Weiss and his family and was originally located on Lot
440 on Sixth Street Southeast. It is typical of Cullman's early houses.
Dr. Weiss bought the cottage from the L & N Railroad on February 24,
1875. His wife, Magdalene, and their children Emma, Charles, and Clara
lived here. The house also served as Dr. Weiss' office and the cellar
was used to house the family's goats -- which is why it was often called
" The Goat House."
Dr. Weiss was a "Practical Physician and Accoucheur," as noted on the
professionals card which was clipped from a Cullman newspaper of 1877
which is now displayed along with medical instruments of the era on his
desk. He owned several pieces of property including a snuff factory and
a lot in the Cullman City Cemetery.
On December 18, 1889, the house was sold to Judge S.L. Fuller and his
wife, Evelyn, a postmistress of early Cullman when the Weiss family
moved away. Weiss Cottage had various owners until 1917 when Charles
Ruehl bought it.
In 1976 the owner, Mrs. Inez Ruehl, needed the site for other
purposes. Cullman's "oldest house" was given to the City of Cullman with
the stipulation that it be moved. The move spurred a restoration and
furnishing with typical 19th century items for the Bicentennial Project
by the City of Cullman Federated Women's Clubs and the Historical
Society. The Cullman Garden Club Federation contributed to the planting
of the grounds.
During the restoration process, old
layers of wallpaper were carefully removed to find the earliest one,
which was matched as carefully as possible. The sills of the house were
railroad ties and the nails used were square ones that can be seen on
display. The historic quilt was made by the various homemakers clubs of
Cullman County.
Weiss Cottage was added to the Alabama
Register of Landmarks and Heritage by the Alabama Historical Commission
on January 25, 1977, and the National Register in April 1985. It
is shown by appointment only. For an appointment to tour Weiss Cottage,
or for more information, call the
Cullman County Museum at (256) 739-1258.
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Hubert Richter
Memorial Chapel
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This unique little chapel was constructed in the early 1990's with
donations to the Richter Chapel Fund. It was built in memory of the
late Mr. Hubert Richter. The chapel is located at 419 1st Avenue
Southeast and is open to the public every day.
The tiny chapel is the site of many weddings throughout the year.
If you are interested in using the chapel for your wedding or other
event, please call Leanne West in the Mayor's Office at
(256)775-7102 or send an email to
lwest@cullmancity.org.
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Our
Lady of the Angels Monastery -
Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
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Located in Hanceville in Cullman County,
Our Lady of the Angels Monastery was
built by Mother Angelica and is the home to the Poor Clare nuns of the
Perpetual Adoration.
The monastery was modeled after European 13th
century monasteries with both Spanish and Italian influences. The
chapel features stained glass windows from Germany, building stone
from Canada, marble pillars and inlaid marble designs from Italy,
roofing tiles from Columbia, South America, carved stonework
decorations from artisans in Spain, and the main altar area is made of
carved cedar covered in gold leaf.
The Monastery Chapel and grounds are open to the public from 6 a.m.
until 6 p.m.. Masses are held daily at 7 a.m. with confessions heard
directly following the mass.
For
group tours of the Monastery and grounds, please call Jonathan
Howell in the tourism office at (205) 795-5722 or send an email to
jonathan@nunsgiftshop.com.
For more information
on the Monastery, call (256)
352-6267
or visit the
monastery's site.
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Area Tourist Attractions
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What do you
think?
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__________________________________________________________ |
204 2nd
Avenue NE
Cullman, AL 35055 |
P.O. Box
278
Cullman, AL 35056-0278 |
Phone: (256)
739-1212
Email: cityhall@cullmancity.org |
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