Don’t Miss This Exciting Update on Our Jerusalem Model Project

It’s the first-century Jerusalem model (1:100 scale), coming to the Ark Encounter hopefully sometime in 2028. This project has taken several years and is now moving into the final phases (and we’re hiring for those). Our design and fabrication teams can’t wait to share it with you.

It’s going to be phenomenally detailed, incredibly impactful, and a wonderful addition to the Ark.

It’s going to be phenomenally detailed, incredibly impactful, and a wonderful addition to the Ark. Just as the Ark Encounter brought the biblical account of Noah’s Ark and the Flood to life for millions of guests, the Jerusalem model will bring to life the city where Jesus performed miracles, died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. It will be the most accurate reconstruction of first-century Jerusalem anywhere. For example, the artists have reconstructed many different kinds of rocks to faithfully represent the actual geology of the city as well as the various types of stone masonry used in construction—yes, that’s the level of detail! I think families will need to plan an extra day just to take in everything that this model will offer!

The Jerusalem model will be housed in the model showroom, which is already constructed, and the artists and fabricators are working on the beautiful, themed interior. It will be located in the same plaza as the Welcome Center and our Answers Center.

Like the Welcome Center, it will be an immersive and themed space, and the centerpiece will be a 1:100 scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. You’ll notice in the rendering below that the model starts almost on the floor and then rises to about 5–6 feet, mimicking the increase in elevation throughout the city. At 53 feet long, the whole model represents just over a mile of the city, and it is divided into three islands so guests can walk amidst the city and get a closer look at the incredible details.

This short video shows just some of the 3D design process that creates the city elements, which are then resin 3D printed:

Throughout the model will be touchscreens that guests can engage with to learn about biblical and other historical events from each part of the city, archaeological discoveries from that area, the culture, and much more. You can meet characters across the city and ask them questions, and you can watch 360-degree videos to see what the modern city looks like in select areas—it’s a really unique and interactive element.

It’s a wonderful way to experience all the detail this model has to offer—and for guests to want to come back again.

And it gets even more interactive. The model will have an accompanying app that guests can download for “quests” throughout the city (there will be different levels for kids and teens/adults). As guests help the characters solve problems, they are pushed to look deeply into the model to find the necessary clues and information. It’s a wonderful way to experience all the detail this model has to offer—and for guests to want to come back again.

And there’s still more! Our team has designed two characters who will be sprinkled throughout our kids’ activities. Kids are going to love these fun characters, and it will help them interact with the model in a memorable way.

Eventually, we will also be displaying artifacts in a separate room that is attached to the model showroom, but that’s further down the road.

Yes, this is such an exciting project and will be an amazing addition to the Ark Encounter. As I said, guests are going to need an extra day just to explore this incredibly detailed model. It will be a wonderful testimony to the truth of Scripture, particularly the accuracy of the Gospels, as we show how archaeology confirms the Bible.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to an opening date. And please pray for our teams as they work hard on this massive project. It’s a huge undertaking, but it will be an incredible apologetics tool once it is finished. We can’t wait!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.