Holy Land USA is an abandoned theme park in Waterbury, Connecticut. It's incredibly weird, strange and totally creepy. So basically a badass place to break into for an illegal photoshoot. That's exactly what Reddit user, Katarokkar recently did. These are his amazing (and haunting) photos.


Originally built in the 1950s, the 18-acre, biblically-inspired theme park has been closed since 1984, but its catacomb replicas, Israelite village, stations of the cross and chapel remain intact, albeit in states of ruin. Although it's not open to the public, the Waterbury Region Convention and Visitors Bureau receives tons of calls a year asking for directions. Trespassers have reported experiencing paranormal occurrences.

Over the years there have been debates over the site's future. Some want it torn down, some want it restored and others want it preserved as folk art. In 1997 a bunch of Boy Scouts repaired the "Holy Land USA" sign as a community service project. Archbishop Henry Mansell replaced the original 56-foot cross with a 50-ft stainless steel one in 2008. In July, 2010 tragedy struck the abandoned park when a 16-year old girl was raped and murdered inside it. The park remains closed, and trespassing is prohibited.


Photos via Katarokkar [Reddit]






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