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All 400 Portland Attractions »

The Grotto - National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

Northeast 85th Avenue, Portland, OR 97220
503 254 7371
Ranked #13 of 297 attractions in Portland
4.5 of 5 stars 93 Reviews
Type: Forests, Gardens, Religious Sites
Description: A peaceful garden featuring a replica of Michaelangelo's Pieta.
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93 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    52
    33
    3
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Date Rating
Portland, Oregon
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 25, 2012 NEW

Enjoy walking the grounds. Be sure to take the elevator to the upper level. A beautiful place for weddings or gatherings. More

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See 11 more reviews by maruruss99 for Portland
Portland, Oregon
Top Contributor
61 reviews 61 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 24, 2012 NEW

I like walking in the Grotto when I need to get away to think or just want to unwind at the end of a busy day or week. The peacefulness and trees all around make you feel like you're far removed from the city. Don't forget to go in the Meditation Chapel for a wonderful view of the Columbia River. More

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See 47 more reviews by cybergrrl for Portland
Vancouver, Washington
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012

I hadn't ever been there but my boyfriend said that we should go and i loved every minute of it More

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See 2 more reviews by Brenna H for Portland
Dolores, Colorado, United States
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012

The Grotto is in a beautiful natural setting centered over a bluff in NE Portland. It boasts many majestic trees and an imposing rock face. Gentle paths take you by statues and carvings of Catholic saints and holy figures. The Chapel below the bluff is astounding. The same could be said of the glass faced observation/prayer room on the edge... More

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See 3 more reviews by Steve M for Portland
Tigard, Oregon
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012

This place is very beautiful. The grotto is a cave like depression on the side of a cliff, where there is a church setting. Take an elevator ride to the top of the cliff, and you have a very large and beautiful garden area. It's a photographers dream. It's well worth a visit. More

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See 17 more reviews by Dave M for Portland
Brookings, Oregon
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2012

So basically you have to pay for a elevator ride to the top level. there is a bunch of plastic and unrealistic figurines of Jesus and other christian figures. I am an atheist but my sister is a christian and she seemed to not be all that excited either. the best part was the glass room overlooking the city that... More

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Nashville, Tennessee
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 5, 2012

This is a piece of heaven on earth... check it out! More

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See 4 more reviews by Lois M for Portland
Alfred, Maine
2 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 4, 2012

Don't miss the elevator ride to the upper gardens. Definitely worth the $4! More

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Kailua, Hawaii
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 2, 2012

Whenever I wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of college life in the early 90s, I would hop a bus and head for the Grotto to talk a walk in the woods, unwind, and contemplate. I've been to Portland for a visit at least seven times since, and it's become a tradition for me to devote some time on... More

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SAN ANTONIO
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 1, 2012

Tucked among the trees in north Portland is this quiet area with a catholic theme. This is a good place for people to visit and relax in quiet. More

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See 2 more reviews by TOMMUR for Portland

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