Holy Land Experience

The Holy Land Experience is both a theme park and a biblical museum located in Orlando, Florida.

The 16 million dollar, 15-acre attraction features several exhibits and presentations that revolve around Old and New Testament themes. The employees wear period costumes, such as Roman soldier garb or coarse-robes.

In 2006 the Trinity Broadcasting Network acquired the Holy Land Experience due to sagging ticket sales and an estimated $8 million debt. TBN plans to upgrade the facility by adding a television studio for it's recently purchased Orlando TV-52 television channel, as well as other attractions. TBN will restructure the Board of Directors for the Holy Land Experience keeping some existing members while adding several from TBN.

Exhibits

• Jerusalem street market
• Dead Sea Scrolls caves
• Herod's Temple
• Tomb of Jesus
• Scriptorium - houses what is claimed to be the world's largest collection of rare and sacred Biblical artifacts, owned by the family trust of Robert Van Kampen
• Jerusalem Model A.D. 66 - In the Zions Hope building contains the largest indoor model of Jerulsalem in the world. Measuring 25 by 49 feet, this magnificent piece was origianlly created by Dr. Gary G. Cohen, of south Florida, and was slightly modified to fit the message of the park.

Controversy

Holy Land was funded and built by Zion's Hope, which led to controversy and protest on its opening day. The founder, Reverend Marvin Rosenthal, a Baptist minister who was born Jewish, was criticized by local Jewish groups who claimed the real purpose of the park was to convert Jewish people to Christianity. Rev. Rosenthal denied that claim and stated the criticism came from those who haven't actually visited the attraction.

External links

• Official website
• Holy Land Experience background and building of
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