<Tr> <Th> NRHP reference #</Th> <Td> 00001679 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Added to NRHP </Th> <Td> February 23, 2001 </Td> </Tr> <P> The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption is a religious shrine located in West Bend, Iowa, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City . A conglomeration of nine grottos depicting scenes in the life of Jesus, the Grotto contains a large collection of minerals and petrifications and is believed to be the largest grotto in the world . </P> <P> It is also "considered to be the world's most complete man - made collection of minerals, fossils, shells, and petrifications in one place ." The total value of all the rocks and minerals which make up the Grotto is over $4,308,000 . Over 100,000 people visit the Grotto each year . </P>

Pictures of the grotto in west bend iowa