Rosslyn Chapel

[bookwyrm]

thanks for the lovely welcome :]

not often i'm called avoice of sanity so thanks!


book should be appearing next year sometime.. might stick some bits and bobs up online before then..


all the best - and hoe everyone has a grand festive time over the next wee while

best wishes
mark :]

http://www.markoxbrow.com/rosslyn

[aNonnyMoose]

Sent you an e-mail, Mark.

[Eleana]

Whatever was in that chapel, even Dan Brown suggests it's not there anymore.

His conclusion was the Grail has been moved to the Louvre. Well...

[jacobitedreamer]

Hm. Have not read Dan Brown's book. Just remember that some time ago I stumbled across some verses that said that at Rosslyn, the severed head of John the Baptist was kept. And that William St.Clair brought the Grail to America. Don't know a thing about it but maybe it is of interest. The more speculation, the more myth - the better for the chapel itself (guess they need the money of the visitors to keep the place).

[Celyn]

INteresting article from the "Herlad" newspaper website today 10/1/05

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/31122-print.shtml

Da Vinci effect could be Rosslyn Chapel's downfall, say historians

ROBERT FAIRBURN January 10 2005

IT is at the centre of a literary sensation, but now one of Scotland's leading tourist attractions is to impose restrictions on visitors.

Rosslyn Chapel, near Penicuik, Midlothian, has had a huge increase in visitors since it was featured in the bestselling book, the Da Vinci Code.

Almost 70,000 people visited the fifteenth-century chapel last year, an increase of 56%.

With a film version of the Da Vinci Code planned , Rosslyn's popularity could prove to be its downfall, according to architectural historians.

They are worried that the building – the reputed resting place of the holy grail – and its unique stone carvings are being put at risk by the increased number of visitors.
As a result, this summer, the Rosslyn Chapel Trust will introduce hourly guided tours to prevent damage to the delicate carvings – including its famous apprentice pillar.
At peak times, the chapel will be closed to anyone not on a guided tour. It will be the first time visitors have been denied access to the chapel, which was founded in 1446.

To reduce pressure on the church and occupy those waiting for a guided tour, medieval gardens and an expanded visitor centre are planned.

A full survey of the foundations is to be carried out. Fractures have already appeared in the chapel's walls as a result of the movement of the structure over the last 20 years, and a £3m renovation project is due to start later this year.

Stuart Beattie, project manager of the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: "In recent months, with visitor numbers rising by an unprecedented amount, we have had discussions about what can be done to minimise these conservation risks.

"There would be less of a problem if we could spread the number of people evenly over 12 months but the fact is that we have a huge influx of visitors in the summer months.

"We do welcome the extra income which helps us fund our restoration project. But there is a danger that so many people brushing against the sandstone features repeatedly could have a damaging effect.

"There is also the concern that this number of people could really ruin the visitor experience. Many people could come here for a spiritual or illuminating experience, not to walk around with their arms clamped by their sides." Brian Park, of Page and Park Architects, who is working on the restoration of the chapel, said humidity was the principal threat and a monitoring system will be installed.

Nick Bridgeland, inspector of ancient monuments at Historic Scotland, said it was keen to protect the building from the "Da Vinci effect". He said: "This is a completely unique building that has baffled architectural historians for centuries. It is a great treasure and it deserves the best protection we can give it." Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, the last St Clair prince of Orkney, and has been linked to biblical and Masonic legend throughout its history.
In the Da Vinci Code, an investigation into the murder of an agent of an ancient clandestine society leads to Rosslyn Chapel. The book has sold more than 17 million copies.

[scotbot]

Rosslyn Chapel is not the location of the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant (that's probably Ethiopia, incidentally) or anything else for that matter. The Holy Grail was not even a physical object. Statements to the contrary have completely missed the point on this. The Holy Grail was/is Christ. It is He who was the vessel of the blood of God, and drinking His blood (ie becoming His desciples), means we have already found the Grail. "This is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all, so that sins may be forgiven."

[Celyn]

Ah well, neither does Rosslyn Chapel contain the Knights Who Say Ni,, the Killer Rabbit, or Bold Sir Robin. Pity, really. I suppose there just might be a shrubbery nearby though - that would be something.