This morning we took a very short walk from our campsite to the Rosslyn Chapel, which is located practically right outside the camp ground.
This beautiful 15th century chapel has an interesting history, and was made famous from the Da Vinci Code book and movie that followed.
One of the interesting stories that was told about the chapel, was about the Apprentice Pillar.
According to the legend, the master mason did not believe
that the apprentice could perform the complicated task of carving the column
without seeing the original which formed the inspiration for the design.
The master mason traveled to see the original himself, but upon his return was enraged to find that the upstart apprentice had completed the column by himself. In a fit of jealous anger, the master mason took his mallet and struck the apprentice on the head, killing him. In turn the master mason was then hanged for murder.
The legend concludes that as punishment for his crime, the master mason's face was carved into the opposite corner to forever gaze upon his apprentice's pillar.
The Rosslyn Chapel Trust was established in 1995, with the
purpose of overseeing its conservation and its opening as a sightseeing destination.
The chapel underwent an extensive programme of conservation between 1997 and
2013. This included work to the roof, the stone, the carvings, the stained
glass and the organ. A steel canopy was
erected over the chapel roof for fourteen years. This was to prevent further
rain damage to the church and also to give it a chance to dry out properly. Major stonework repairs were completed by the
end of 2011. The last major scaffolding
was removed in August 2010.
Visitor numbers have increased tremendously since the release
of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, along with the film that followed. This continues to assist with the restoration
and upkeep of the chapel.
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| The Apprentice Pillar |
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| Woke to a very foggy morning today! |
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