Holy Land Experience

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Re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus in the Holy Land theme park (2007)

Holy Land Experience is the name of a Christian theme park and Bible Museum opened in Orlando , Florida in February 2001 .

The theme park was founded by Marvin Rosenthal , a Baptist pastor of Jewish origin. The construction cost was $ 15 million. On the opening day, the right-wing Jewish Defense League protested against the project because it was out to create converts . Rosenthal contradicted this, however. In June 2007, the park was bought by Trinity Broadcasting Network for $ 37 million as public interest waned. The theme park is to be expanded and equipped with additional attractions, such as a film studio. The park's attractions include a six-story replica of the central portion of the Temple of Jerusalem . Further structural replicas show the caves of Qumran , an oasis café and the tomb of Jesus on Calvary . The theme park does not offer any “rides”, instead , it does have passion play-like imitations of the Passion story, a model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus and the opportunity to take part in the Last Supper.

Movies

Part of Bill Maher's satirical documentary Religulous takes place in the Holy Land Experience: Maher interviews visitors and the Jesus actor and gets into trouble with the plant's marketing director.

literature

  • Annabel Jane Wharton: Selling Jerusalem: Relics, Replicas, Theme parks , Chicago 2006

Individual evidence

  1. Article on the dispute with the Jewish Defense League

Web links

Coordinates: 28 ° 29 ′ 44 ″  N , 81 ° 26 ′ 0 ″  W.