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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.

Ave Maria Grotto "The Scenic Shrine of the South"

Visit www.avemariagrotto.com!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!

Visit www.avemariagrotto.com!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.

Clarkson Covered Bridge

Find out more about the Clarkson Covered Bridge!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.

Cullman County Museum

Visit www.cullmancountymuseum.com!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.

Visit www.cullmancountymuseum.com!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.

Cullman Depot

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. 

Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center at Chester Freeman Park

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!

Festhalle Market Platz

Visit the Festhalle Market Platz page in our site!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!

Weiss Cottage

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.

Hubert Richter Memorial Chapel

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.

Our Lady of the Angels Monastery - Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Visit the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery site!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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__________________________________________________________
204 2nd Avenue NE
Cullman, AL  35055
P.O. Box 278
Cullman, AL  35056-0278
Phone: (256) 739-1212
Email: cityhall@cullmancity.org

 
This site created & maintained by the City of Cullman. Copyright 1998-2009 City of Cullman, Alabama. All rights reserved. Please direct inquiries to our Webmaster, Leanne West.