A big plastic Bible forever turned to the Ten Commandments page.

Holy Land USA

Waterbury, Connecticut

This is one Biblical theme park we wish we had seen at its peak. For the last three decades (at least), Holy Land USA has been a post-nuclear Road Warrior vision of the Holy Land, perched on a bluff overlooking Waterbury and the interstate. Most of the rambling spread consisted of impenetrable assemblages of junk. A destroyed set of shanty shacks displayed religious crafts. A scary tunnel led to the catacombs, its mysteries revealed if you remembered to bring a flashlight.

Amidst this squalor were two unlikely items: a tall high tech cross of steel and plastic and large red "Hollywood"-style letters spelling Holy Land USA. On our visits, the gates were always open, unattended -- free admission! With each visit, less and less of the park remained. Heads disappeared from statues, the "Garden of Eden" was picked clean, the catacombs got scarier.

A massive miniature Jerusalem (or maybe Bethlehem) covers one hillside. The craftsmanship is not as precise as, say, the Ava Maria Grotto in Cullman, AL -- but the sheer size makes up for it.

For years Holy Land remained officially closed to the public, although efforts are currently underway to restore its displays.