Thursday, March 22, 2007

Rosslyn Chapel to get much-needed facelift

Scotland's Rosslyn Chapel, made more famous than it already was by The Da Vinci Code, today received grants totaling £7.2 million toward the restoration of the 15th-century icon.

The impressive building, which dates back to 1446, has seen its yearly tourist pilgrimage increase from 30,000 people a year in 2000 to over 120,000 last year.

Some of the intricate carvings, with symbols of the Knights Templar, Christianity, Freemasonry and mythology, are deteriorating.

For the last ten years, a tin roof has been keeping the rain off the chapel, allowing the original roof and walls to dry out. The renovation will include removing the tin roof. Repairs will also include conserving and protecting the stonework, fixing the stained and leaded glass and restoring the Victorian baptistry.

| | | | | |

2 comments:

  1. I'm curious as to what symbols of Freemasonry are in Rosslyn?

    Are they masonic or are we just reading a bit too much into it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Though its conclusions are open to debate, the book The Hiram Key displays several photos of carvings at Rosslyn Chapel of Masonic symbols, including squares and compasses.

    — W.S.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.