Abandoned HolyLand USA | Former Bible Amusement park
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Come along as we explore the former site of HolyLand USA a bible amusement park located in Waterbury Connecticut. Some of the relics on the site were quite interesting. Enjoy!
Holy Land USA is an 18-acre (7.3 ha) theme park in Waterbury, Connecticut, inspired by selected passages from the Bible. It consists of a chapel, stations of the cross, and replicas of catacombs and Israelite villages constructed from cinder blocks, bathtubs, and other discarded materials.[1] The park closed to the public in 1984 and fell into disrepair. On September 14, 2014, the site reopened to the public for the first time in 30 years with an inaugural Mass. The area is now open to the general public during daylight hours.
Holy Land USA was conceived by John Baptist Greco, a Waterbury-based attorney, with the purpose of creating an attraction that would replicate Bethlehem and Jerusalem of the Biblical era. Construction commenced in 1955 with the help of a volunteer organization called Companions of Christ.[2] Bob Chinn, the grounds chairman at Holy Land USA, recalled Greco's mission in a 2001 interview with The New York Times: "He was a very spiritual man. He wanted to do this for the people of the community. He felt no one, no matter the race, creed or color, should be separated. He wanted a place for all people to sit and be peaceful."[2]
Among the original attractions at the site were a recreation of the Garden of Eden, a diorama depicting Daniel in the lions' den, and various recreations of the life and ministry of Jesus. The centerpiece of the site was a 56-foot (17 m) cross and an illuminated sign that read "Holy Land USA".[3]
During its peak years in the 1960s and 1970s, Holy Land USA attracted upwards of 40,000 visitors annually.[2] Greco closed Holy Land USA in 1984 with plans to improve and expand the site, but the work was left unfinished when Greco died in 1986. The property was left to the Religious Teachers Filippini.[4]
After its closure, Holy Land USA fell into a state of advanced disrepair, and many attractions and statues were vandalized. Although it was not open to the public, the site continued to attract attention. In 2002, the Waterbury Region Convention and Visitors Bureau received more than 150 calls asking for directions to the site.[3] The website Roadside America included the park in coverage of offbeat attractions, albeit with the cautionary note that visitors should "explore with caution (and with an up-to-date tetanus shot)."[5]
There was ongoing debate about the site's future. It was suggested that the park be preserved as folk art,[1][6] and there were numerous failed attempts to restore the park, including one involving the Knights of Columbus in 2000.[6] The Religious Sisters of Filippi Greco were accused of fearing "liability and being sued" and thereby turning away volunteers and stopping restoration efforts, but they also received support from those who believed that, although accepting the park reluctantly, they had been "good stewards" over it.[6] The Sisters held weekly prayer meetings at the site, and the holy hours on Sundays were devoted to the Virgin of Revelation,[6] an apparition of the Virgin Mary witnessed in 1947 by an Italian on his way to assassinate Pope Pius XII in Rome.[7] The Sisters claimed that the statue of the Madonna in the chapel is one of three commissioned by Pope John Paul II.[7]
Despite the lack of full restoration, some renovation projects were undertaken while the park was closed. In 1997 a group of Boy Scouts repaired the illuminated "Holy Land USA" sign as part of a community service project,[5] and in 2008 the original 56-foot cross was replaced with a 50-foot (15 m) stainless steel one, which was dedicated in a ceremony led by Archbishop Henry J. Mansell.
This was very cool an very sad .rio Chloe 😢 😢episode. Thsnk you for taking all us wih you Randy . Happy father's day weekend
Extremely sad story… amazing place though
Thanks!Randy for all the great content an adventures you take all us on
Very much appreciated!!! Thank you so much
@@RandomlyRandy58 your welcome Randy
This is very cool. Who would think that something like this would be way out there. Happy Father's Day Randy!
Thanks so much Flo!
Sending love to all good father's and to my dad the best man i ever knew Happy heavenily father's day. love and miss you.💕💓Vickie
Thank you Vickie!
@@RandomlyRandy58 ive had so many sad times there's nothing i love more than supporting you and your youtube friends.🥰
@@VickieHubbard-po2ed try to be positive! And it is very much appreciated
@@RandomlyRandy58 good advice for all
WONDERFUL VIDEO
HOPE TO VISIT THIER SOMEDAY
Highly recommend it!