Rosslyn Chapel, the story behind the myths
Uncover the surprising mysteries surrounding the dramatic
late-Gothic Rosslyn
Chapel, which lies 7 miles south of Edinburgh, and is
said by some to be a resting place of the Holy Grail.
Dating back to 1446, the chapel sits in the
picturesque village of Roslin and played a major part in Dan
Brown’s controversial novel The Da
Vinci Code. Scenes for the 2006 film
adaptation starring Tom Hanks were also shot in the chapel.
There are hundreds of intricate carvings which
depict everything from an angel playing the bagpipes to the curious
riddle of the Apprentice Pillar. The chapel also boasts pinnacles
and gargoyles, flying buttresses and even botanically accurate
carvings of over a dozen different leaves and plants. Discover the
stories behind the outstanding craftsmanship and these stunning
creations, which cover almost every surface.
The rich and subtle figurative sculptures have
given Rosslyn Chapel the nickname a ‘Bible in stone’ due to the
symbolic portrayals of the Dance of Death, the Seven Acts of Mercy
and the Seven Deadly Sins.
The chapel also provided inspiration for the
great Scots writer Sir Walter Scott and has been the subject of
many recently published books. These have drawn on everything from
the Freemasons and the Turin Shroud to regular sightings of UFO’s
across Midlothian.
Explore the fascinating history of Rosslyn
Chapel and discover this stunning ‘cathedral in miniature’.
Find more surprises in
Edinburgh and the Lothians.
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