dickeyville grotto

I have been wanting to stop at the Grotto for years. My husband grew up in the area so he thought it was not worth the stop. We finally made the trip and it was wonderful. My girls loved everything about it and I thought it was very inspiring and uplifting.

We were passing through this way and had a new teen with us who had never seen this. If you haven't been here or haven't been here in awhile, it is awe-inspiring to stop and look at. You will just be amazed to see everything that went into making this structure. It is interesting to take note of the little details of each section and I always wind up noticing something I missed before. And if the kids get a little bored after awhile, there is a quaint park just down the hill for them to enjoy while you continue to browse.

If you live in Wisconsin or are passing through the area, this is definitely a one of kind road stop attraction. There is a suggested donation of $2 and it takes 10-30 to wander around and take in all the intricacies. A lot of time and thought was put into this folk art and the result is pretty amazing. Be sure to take some time to really discover the little parts that make up the whole - you will definitely find some unusual odds and ends. Worth a quick stop for sure.

You definitely have to get out of your car to appreciate the workmanship and the wonder that has gone into this. We saw people drive by, stop and take pictures but to truly appreciate this you need to see it up close. When we first pulled up, I was not impressed but when I got closer, I was taken back and moved by this piece of art. There is something moving about seeing all the pieces of glass, shells, concrete and pottery placed specially within this structure. I don't think pictures do the structures justice, it was really amazing. The bird structures, the different shrines, the fencing, it was everything put together. Definitely, something you need to see. They ask for a donation, remember this is a donation not a fee.

Fascinating shrine built from the ground up, with concrete, stones, glass and pottery. Incredible to consider all the work that went into the construction. Well worth a few minutes to look around.

I had been to the Dickeyville Grotto years ago, and when I found my wife and I passing through Dickeyville, I figured it was worth stopping for. There is a recommended donation of $2 each, which is very reasonable. We spent about 20 minutes walking around examining the little pieces that made up the Grotto. While this is a religious monument, I think children would really get a kick out of this place too. We probably would have walked around the Grotto longer but it was an intensely hot day. Worth the stop if passing through Dickeyville. Would recommend, will go back.

This church adjacent park is a wonderland of religious themed outsider art. A testament to the tenacity of one man's faith, this creation is amazing to behold. Even non believers can admire the artistry and grandiosity of this monument. Also there is a church thrift shop next door, and they have great bargains. This is a worthwhile place to stop for a half hour if you are in the area.

I read about the Grotto in the Wisconsin State Journal and decided to check it out. It is a geological and religious wonder. A hidden gem just off 151 and well worth my drive. If you have kids, stop at Kuepers Park(right behind the gift shop).

Certainly an attraction with a difference. Once you get up close it is amazing what this grotto is made up of. Rocks from all round the world. Mix of spiritual and the earth.

Found this by following some bikers as we wer heading to Lancaster. A geologists delight. An amazing work of art and a treasure to look at. Shop is cash only.

WOW-- that is the only word that can describe this creation. It is amazing, and you see a new thing every time you look closely at an area. The people are extremely nice and helpful. We could have spent several hours here, but our schedule did not permit that, however I am sure we will be going back.

Don't miss seeing this unique grotto. It's one of a kind. Very interesting. We liked it. There was nothing that I disliked. Look closely and see all the things that embedded in the cement.

I love structures made out of rock, nature and showing creativity and industriousness. It is on a grand scale. Even if it was the small grotto, full of rocks, all types and colors, wood, glass, tile, shells. Pictures wouldn't no justice.Then behind it is more gardens with rock creatures and statues. And a gift shop which has surprising assortment of items. I've seen several grottos, this is the best.

Gadzooks, this is one extraordinary manifestation of outsider art that has dizzying elements of OCD, religious fervor and trust in cementing what-could-as-easily-be-profound-dis/order into a frantic logic and intermittently coherent narrative. Sorry for that mouthful, but I love stuff like this - from L.A.'s Watts Tower to James Hampton's foil-wrapped throne (Smithsonian's American Art Museum, D.C.), artworks with lowbrow grandeur attained less through traditional talent and much much more through relentless, repetitive focus aren't just fascinating, but, for me, therapeutic, reflecting as they do, my bias for chaos that's organized in ways not ordinarily perceived. I wish I could articulate this better but my finite TripAdvisor time and space (and my inability to glue a thousand evenly spaced marbles right here as the base-coat for an assemblage of game tokens, bottlecaps and old pacifiers!) (AND my inability to type fast enough to capture all intertwined thoughts) isn't the right palette. But if you want insight into art and a nontraditional artist's idea of being spiritual, visit this place. Or (and I don't mean to be glib or unkind) look at sand or dirt or (even though they're far away) the stars more closely. Beautiful!On the less giddy hand, the Dickeyville Grotto is a delightful curiosity - as-one-of-a-kind as an artwork or person can get without retreating at all. I've more comments about this place (which we stumbled upon accidentally) - from some especially curious mis-blends of materials (even in this anything-goes terrain I have different rules) to paraphrasing "Ozymandias" - but I've already overwritten the obvious: just look at this thing, and you'll see a beautiful and troubled world.

As we were driving the Great River Road, I said "I want to stop in Dickeyville" & I am glad we did. We ate breakfast at Katina's restaurant and walked a few buildings over to see the Grotto. It's amazingly beautiful, unique, intricate, everything you can imagine! It's history is what is amazing too, the time the Priest put into it (years) and the product he used to make it, stones, glass, starfish (!), seashells, it really is a sight to see! Don't just drive by, there is a lot to see.