The Rudolph Grotto Gardens, located about half an hour from downtown Marshfield, feature more than two dozen hand-made shrines and impressive floral displays.
Drive about half an hour from downtown Marshfield to the small community of Randolph—population 1,800—in rural Wood County, and you’ll find an amazing spot for relaxation and reflection.
The Rudolph Grotto Gardens sit on the grounds of St. Philip Catholic Church and feature more than two dozen beautiful shrines, floral displays, and the “Wonder Cave”, meant to resemble the catacombs in Rome.
Covering five acres next to the church, the gardens were inspired by Father Philip Wagner’s visit to the Shrine of Saint Mary in France. He began working on the gardens in 1919, and the first shrine was completed in 1928. The site continued to develop over the decades, and the final project was completed in 1983.
Rudolph Grotto Gardens is home to 26 hand-built shrines adorned with colored glass, shells, and tiles that sit among beautiful plants and flowers in bloom all summer long. The site also includes the Wonder Cave, a one-fifth-mile passageway meant to resemble the catacombs in Rome.
Admission to the gardens is free. There is a small fee to explore the Wonder Cave.
The gardens and grotto are open year-round, and the Wonder Cave (and a small gift shop) are open from Memorial Day through October.
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