The Da Vinci Code & Rosslyn Chapel

It took us a few minutes to get to the Chapel from the bar. The admission fee cost £9.00.

                                                

Before entering the chapel, we used all available interactives to become more acquainted with the history hidden behind the Chapel. We spent approximately forty-five minutes in the visitor center and we finally headed towards the Chapel.

The Chapel from the outside

Rosslyn Chapel was built in 1446. During the English Civil war, unlike most chapels and castles in the area, it remained intact. It is believed that the army's leader Oliver Cromwell was a Freemason and therefore, he did not let destroy the chapel, being aware of its significance. The church remained  abandoned  and empty for many years. The chapel was reopened in the 19th century and few people visited the place. In 2003, however, after Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" was published, everything changed. Rosslin became swamped with tourists trying to explore the mystery on their own.

As we weren't allowed to take pictures inside, we took only few of them at the entrance doors.

Inside, guides provided talks, which were included in the ticket price, but we decided to explore the Chapel on our own.

The Chapel looks far less spectacular and smaller than in the film although it is undoubtedly a magnificent building with enigmatic carvings of numerous individual figures and scenes. However, despite being aware of the incredible mystery and  secrets held in the building (it is believed that the vaults underneath the chapel may contain the bodies of the Knights of Templar, the Holy Grail and other treasures!), somehow I didn't feel any thrill I had expected. Therefore, I was a bit disappointed, particularly because I was a big fan of the book (The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown) and the film (by Ron Howard) which both had made a huge impact on me. Perhaps the thrill of anticipation itself was so strong that I missed something while awaiting?

And some more photos taken covertly inside ;)

                                             The Sacristy and the Knight Templar, 13th century

For more information about mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel, take a look at:
Mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel, the Templars and the Grail
The Quest for Truth
Rosslyn Chapel Fun Trivia

When we exited the visitor center, we turned left at a speed limit sign and we took a path leading to Roslin Castle or more precisely, to its remains. This will be also OUR next stop :-)