The holy grail of theme parks? These attractions answer your prayers
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Religious theme parks have popped up all over the world. Pictures by Michael Turtle
It's not normally supposed to be anything too serious... which is why I found myself bemused the first time I went to a theme park based on religion. It was a Christian amusement park based around stories from the Bible. Although it was aimed at the whole family, I couldn't see the appeal - at least, compared to Six Flags or Disneyland.
In the years after, though, I found myself at more theme parks around the world that were all about religion, including Buddhism and Islam, and I realised there was a trend here I'd never known about. These parks weren't necessarily flashy or thrilling, but nor were they pious or sanctimonious. They were just a nice day out - which maybe you'll also find at one of these religious theme parks.
An 18-metre-high statue of Jesus at Tierra Santa in Buenos Aires. Picture by Michael Turtle
There are no rollercoasters or fairy floss at the Christian-themed Tierra Santa in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires... although there is a carousel with manger animals for the little kids. But the main attractions here are all about the life of Jesus, with the entire park designed like a village from the time of the New Testament. Staff are dressed as Roman soldiers or peasant women, with dioramas in houses and statues on the street of scenes like Lazarus rising from his tomb.
Across Tierra Santa, there are regular sound and light shows of stories like the Nativity and the Last Supper. The centrepiece is the hourly resurrection of Jesus, with an 18-metre-high statue rising from a mountain while Hallelujah booms from the speakers. The day I visit, a mechanical failure delays the resurrection. I guess not everything's a miracle.
Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Picture Shutterstock
The USA has had more than its fair share of Christian theme parks over the years, from the sprawling Heritage USA run by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, with a water park, castle, and Main Street, to the Holy Land Experience in Florida, which aimed to recreate ancient Jerusalem. Both are now closed, but there are still quite a few operating across the country.
Possibly the most dramatic is Ark Encounter in Kentucky, founded by an Australian creationist called Ken Ham. The park features an enormous imagining of Noah's Ark built to the dimensions in the Bible - 150 metres long and 16 metres high - with exhibitions inside the wooden boat about the story of Noah, the flood, and the animals (including dinosaurs... because... I dunno). Outside, there are some kids' rides, a zoo, and animal encounters. Entry to the ark costs $100... but don't worry, you don't have to buy two tickets.
Suoi Tien Park on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. Picture by Michael Turtle
At Suoi Tien Park, you're faced with fun, humour, terror, and angst... all at once. On the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the park's theme is Buddhism, and there are certainly plenty of temples and statues of Buddha and other symbols like dragons. But it's not all peaceful, including the dark descent into hell where the path leads you past displays of people being ripped apart or eaten by animals, accompanied by a soundtrack of screams. Or the House of Horrors where an actual hand comes out of the wall and grabs my ankle. That time, I was the one screaming!
There is a section for carnival-style rides and a go-kart track, with a very sad zoo at the back. There are also large pools holding hundreds of crocodiles... and a gift shop in the middle selling scaly handbags.
A mini replica of the Taj Mahal at Taman Tamadun Islam in Malaysia. Picture by Michael Turtle
It's a small world after all, especially when you shrink some of the planet's greatest landmarks into miniature models to create a theme park. In Malaysia, that's what Taman Tamadun Islam has done, with icons of the Muslim world like mosques and madrasas. There are tiny models of Mecca (without the crowds), of the Taj Mahal (also without the crowds), as well as the Great Mosque of Samarra from Iraq and the Great Mosque of Xian from China. The only exhibit large enough for me to enter is a replica of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock, complete with copies of the original interior decorations.
Right next to Taman Tamadun Islam, you'll find the glittering Crystal Mosque, which is also worth visiting. Built from steel, mirrors, and glass, the exterior playfully catches the light while the interior lets it flood in. It's one of the most important sights here in the city of Kuala Terengganu.
Lord Shiva statue at Surendrapuri. Picture Shutterstock
Calling itself India's first mythological theme park, Surendrapuri is full of colourful constructions reflecting Hinduism and other elements of the country's diverse religious heritage. Rather than rides or attractions, there are more than 3000 statues spread over a three-kilometre path. This includes replicas of Indian temples - many of them important destinations for pilgrims (although I don't think seeing them all here at once counts as a pilgrimage, sorry).
Surendrapuri is about an hour's drive from Hyderabad and was conceived by a local man who grew up in a modest farming family. He wanted to honour the culture of India, which is why there are also depictions of important scenes from epic stories like the Ramayana.
You can see more on Michael's Time Travel Turtle website.
Words by Michael Turtle Michael Turtle is an Australian journalist who left his job in televisionto travel the world forever. He'll show you how to find the lesser-knownplaces, get involved in the culture, learn the history, and meet locals
along the way.
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Across Tierra Santa, there are regular sound and light shows of stories like the Nativity and the Last Supper. The centrepiece is the hourly resurrection of Jesus, with an 18-metre-high statue rising from a mountain while Hallelujah booms from the speakers. The day I visit, a mechanical failure delays the resurrection. I guess not everything's a miracle. Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Picture Shutterstock The USA has had more than its fair share of Christian theme parks over the years, from the sprawling Heritage USA run by televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, with a water park, castle, and Main Street, to the Holy Land Experience in Florida, which aimed to recreate ancient Jerusalem. Both are now closed, but there are still quite a few operating across the country. Possibly the most dramatic is Ark Encounter in Kentucky, founded by an Australian creationist called Ken Ham. The park features an enormous imagining of Noah's Ark built to the dimensions in the Bible - 150 metres long and 16 metres high - with exhibitions inside the wooden boat about the story of Noah, the flood, and the animals (including dinosaurs... because... I dunno). Outside, there are some kids' rides, a zoo, and animal encounters. Entry to the ark costs $100... but don't worry, you don't have to buy two tickets. Suoi Tien Park on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. Picture by Michael Turtle At Suoi Tien Park, you're faced with fun, humour, terror, and angst... all at once. On the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the park's theme is Buddhism, and there are certainly plenty of temples and statues of Buddha and other symbols like dragons. But it's not all peaceful, including the dark descent into hell where the path leads you past displays of people being ripped apart or eaten by animals, accompanied by a soundtrack of screams. Or the House of Horrors where an actual hand comes out of the wall and grabs my ankle. That time, I was the one screaming! There is a section for carnival-style rides and a go-kart track, with a very sad zoo at the back. There are also large pools holding hundreds of crocodiles... and a gift shop in the middle selling scaly handbags. A mini replica of the Taj Mahal at Taman Tamadun Islam in Malaysia. Picture by Michael Turtle It's a small world after all, especially when you shrink some of the planet's greatest landmarks into miniature models to create a theme park. In Malaysia, that's what Taman Tamadun Islam has done, with icons of the Muslim world like mosques and madrasas. There are tiny models of Mecca (without the crowds), of the Taj Mahal (also without the crowds), as well as the Great Mosque of Samarra from Iraq and the Great Mosque of Xian from China. The only exhibit large enough for me to enter is a replica of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock, complete with copies of the original interior decorations. Right next to Taman Tamadun Islam, you'll find the glittering Crystal Mosque, which is also worth visiting. Built from steel, mirrors, and glass, the exterior playfully catches the light while the interior lets it flood in. It's one of the most important sights here in the city of Kuala Terengganu. Lord Shiva statue at Surendrapuri. Picture Shutterstock Calling itself India's first mythological theme park, Surendrapuri is full of colourful constructions reflecting Hinduism and other elements of the country's diverse religious heritage. Rather than rides or attractions, there are more than 3000 statues spread over a three-kilometre path. This includes replicas of Indian temples - many of them important destinations for pilgrims (although I don't think seeing them all here at once counts as a pilgrimage, sorry). Surendrapuri is about an hour's drive from Hyderabad and was conceived by a local man who grew up in a modest farming family. He wanted to honour the culture of India, which is why there are also depictions of important scenes from epic stories like the Ramayana. You can see more on Michael's Time Travel Turtle website. Words by Michael Turtle Michael Turtle is an Australian journalist who left his job in televisionto travel the world forever. He'll show you how to find the lesser-knownplaces, get involved in the culture, learn the history, and meet locals along the way.
