For a truly beautiful and divine place make sure to stop by the Christus Gardens in Gatlinburg. This is truly a place to inspire and to be inspired with its amazing beauty and reverence to the life of Jesus Christ.
For more than 40 years now this attraction has been inspiring the thousands of visitors who come here yearly. They are the recipient of the Shining Example Award. They have also been voted America’s #1 Religious attraction as well as been voted the most visited family attraction on the Southeast.
This beautiful place began more than 40 years ago when Ronald S. Ligon contracted TB. Before he passed he wanted to leave behind a place to honor the Divine Savior and all that He had given Ronald. He begin visiting religious shires all over the worlds and put his ideas into motion. He ended up with his religious memorial and gardens in the heart of the famed Smoky Mountains.
Today visitors to the center will find 100 life-sizes figures that are important in the life of Jesus, an heirloom Bible collection, the Place of the Parable, The Promise, a Bible coin collection, and the Gems of the Bible. In addition they have truly stunning gardens that can be enjoyed year round. One of the most exquisite pieces is the chiseled Carrara face of Jesus that greats visitors to the center. This is a tour at your own pace attraction and you may stay as long as you like.
The center is handicapped accessible. They do offer restrooms and picnic tables. They do have ample free parking and parking for buses. They do also have a large gift shop filled with religious items as well as gardening items. They do hold a number of events through out the year. As you might expect they do have a number of events following a religious holiday such as Christmas and Easter. And as you might guess, this is when crowds are at the peak. Cameras allowed.
Hours and admission info:
Admission: $10.75 adults; $4.48 children. Children under 6: free. Group discounts available.
Hours: April to October from 8am to 9pm; November to March from 9am to 5pm. Closed on Christmas.
Website: www.christusgardens.com $1 off admission coupon on-line.
This is truly an amazing place to visit no matter what your religious believes (or lack of) are. When you leave this place you will be awed by what you see here. Make sure to put it on your must see list.