Monk's Humble Masterpieces

0:00From Birmingham, this is your March 21st update. Nestled behind a monastery in Coleman, Alabama, sits Ave Maria Grotto, home to over 125 tiny replicas of famous landmarks like St. Peter's Basilica and the leaning tower of Pisa. These intricate models, some depicting holy sites and others fairy tale scenes, were all crafted by hand by a single Benedictine monk named Brother. Joseph Zouetto over more than five decades. Zouetto, who stood just four feet ten inches tall and weighed under 100 pounds, emigrated from Germany as a teen and shoveled coal at the abbey. By day, at night, he turned scavenged bits like seashells, broken tiles, and even toilet floats into detailed masterpieces despite having seen only a handful of the real structures. Visitors today sense the monk's deep humility in every piece. He shied away from attention. Often hiding from crowds and working in overalls, rather than his habit, yet his creations open

1:00to the public in, 1934, without his name attached. The Grotto kept growing until 1958 and Zouetto passed away in 1961. Now it draws about 40,000 people yearly from all 50 states and beyond, standing as Coleman's oldest attraction. What endures is the quiet welcome for everyone, religious or not, sparking peace and joy. One man's hillside vision proves you can build a world worth visiting without ever leaving home.