Grotto of the Redemption, Religious shrine in West Bend, Iowa, United States
The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend is a religious shrine built from nine separate grottos depicting scenes from Jesus' life. Each section is covered and decorated with a vast array of minerals, fossils, and petrified materials that form the entire composition.
A priest started building the grotto in 1912 after recovering from a serious illness and dedicated 42 years to the project. The unusual structure was constructed piece by piece using manual labor and later recognized as a historic landmark.
The site reflects deep religious devotion expressed through decades of hands-on labor and community support. This way of creating a sacred space shows how faith can be channeled into collecting and arranging natural materials.
The site is open year-round without restrictions, though guided tours run seasonally from spring through fall. Wear comfortable walking shoes since the pathways are uneven and exploring requires moving through various levels.
The collection includes thousands of minerals and fossils gathered from across the globe, many of them rare and valuable. Visitors can see stones and crystals that were contributed by collectors from different countries over the decades.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
