HLE Sights

The Jerusalem Model

Four years before The Holy Land Experience opened in 2001, guests were already visiting the property to see one of the largest models in the world of the city of Jerusalem. Construction of this teaching model began at the end of 1995 and was completed and opened to the public 18 months later in 1997. The model measures in at 45 feet long and 22 feet wide and features over 1,000 figurines, which were hand-painted by an assembly line of people who would each paint one color and then pass the figurine on to the next person for the next appropriate color.

At the time, visitors would come from all over and listen to a 45-minute to hourlong presentation about the ancient city. Today the lesson has been shortened to three 20-minute lessons in order to accommodate the higher attendance of park guests.

The model represents the entire city as it was in the year A.D. 66, which was about a mile long in real life. Guests are given a detailed tour of the Temple and its courts. The entire presentation starts with King David conquering the city in the 10th century and ends in A.D. 70, which is a 1,070-year timeline. Throughout the presentation, guests learn about the building, destruction, and eventual rebuilding of the city, as well as about three of the kings who ruled during those years.

Guests who visit the Jerusalem Model also gain a better understanding of the life of Jesus, including the locations of the events that led up to Jesus’ trial, the trial, crucifixion, and His burial.