The Grotto of the Redemption is a religious shrine in West Bend, Iowa and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City. A complex consisting of nine grottos shows scenes from the life of Jesus. With a large collection of minerals, rare stones and shells, it is believed to be the largest man-made grotto in the world. The total value of all the minerals is about $4,308,000.
The massive Grotto of the Redemption was built by Father Paul Dobberstein, who as a young man had made a promise to God to build a great shrine to the Virgin Mary. He started his project in 1912 using rare rocks that were donated from all over the US. Each grotto is dedicated to a certain theme.
A four storied, nine-grotto complex made of minerals, shells and stones, includes a museum with precious and semiprecious stones, as well as photos and artifacts telling a story of the construction of the shrine.
The shrine is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A gift shop is open from February to December, with longer opening hours from May to October.
Practical info
What is the location of the Grotto of the Redemption?
The Grotto of the Redemption can be found in the Midwest of the United States, specifically West Bend, Iowa. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City oversees the shrine. Show more
When was the shrine building process initiated?
The construction of the Grotto of the Redemption started in 1912 under the leadership of Father Paul Dobberstein. He devoted his entire career to this venture and gathered unusual rocks that had been donated from every corner of the country and proceeded to employ them to construct the nine grottos. Show more
What is the current estimated value of the minerals used in the construction of the Grotto of Redemption?
The estimated cost of all the minerals used in erecting the Grotto of the Redemption is approximately $4,308,000. The shrine complex, which is made up of nine grottos comprised of minerals, shells, and stones, also contains a museum. It is where visitors can observe precious stones and artifacts that describe the construction procedure. Show more
Which narratives are portrayed in the nine grottos?
The grottos at the shrine are divided based on their content and depict different incidents from Jesus Christ's life. They include the Last Supper, the Resurrection, the Nativity, and the Crucifixion. The rare rocks, minerals and shells collected from various states around the country further enhance its distinctiveness, drawing visitors from all over the world to the shrine. Show more
What is on display at the museum located within the grotto complex?
The Grotto of the Redemption's museum showcases an extensive collection of precious and semi-precious stones, photographs, and artifacts that detail the shrine building story. Visitors can obtain keepsakes from the gift store, which remains open from February to December, with longer operating hours between May and October. Show more
