Secrets of Rosslyn Chapel – The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code

There are few places around Scotland that draw as much intrigue as the secrets of Rosslyn Chapel. Inside you’ll find stories of hidden musical notes, undiscovered continents, Knights Templar and of course the Holy Grail. This chapel might be small but it’s packed full of fascinating stone carvings that fuel the imagination. So what do you need to know about visiting Rosslyn Chapel and is there any truth behind its role in The Da Vinci Code?

Rosslyn Chapel Origins

The construction of Rosslyn Chapel is no secret at least. It was started in 1446 by Sir William Sinclair, high up on a small hill near Roslin Castle. It was such a monumental task that by the time he had passed away in 1484, this choir and the stone vault underneath were all that had been completed. The founder had been taking his time to study and approve every carving before the masons could get started. No wonder things moved slowly!

No original plans have survived, but it’s believed that William had originally planned for Rosslyn to be a much larger. However, William’s son was content with what had already been built, so added a roof and declared Rosslyn Chapel complete. After the Reformation, this beautiful chapel was abandoned to be consumed by nature and play stables to Oliver Cromwell’s army.

Thankfully Rosslyn Chapel was restored, otherwise we might have lost the exquisite stone carvings and some captivating stories.

Rosslyn Chapel and the Holy Grail

We can’t ignore the most common story here – Rosslyn Chapel and the Holy Grail. After all, it was the appearance in the Da Vinci Code film that catapulted this hidden gem into global fame. This was when rumours really started to spread that there was a secret hiding in Rosslyn Chapel. I’m not here to debunk any theories around the Holy Grail, just to tell you the story.

With so many symbols crammed into Rosslyn, you could probably find evidence for any theory you want. The myth that the Da Vinci Code is based on claims that Knights Templar found the Holy Grail in the Middle East. When they were forced to leave the area, they took it away with them and kept it hidden. After being pushed out of mainland Europe in the early 14^th Century, these Templars found their way to Scotland. Naturally they brought their greatest treasure along too!

We know that a group of Templars did settle near here, in a place unsurprisingly called “Temple”. Unfortunately it’s difficult for this to be a secret of Rosslyn Chapel. since it happened over 100 years before the building was started.

Rosslyn Chapel’s Carvings

Vague stories about Templars aside, the real draw for Rosslyn Chapel should be the incredible carvings that surround you. They surpass anything I’ve seen inside any other church, in terms of beauty, quantity and variety. Unsurprisingly, they disguise a few of Rosslyn Chapel’s secrets as well.

Biblical References

As you would expect to find in a church, there are plenty of Biblical references. The scenes of both the Nativity and the Crucifixion are easy to make out. One of my personal favourites is the Fallen Angel, tied upside down and the Devil makes a few appearances. He’s no stranger to Scotland, featuring in plenty of Scottish folk stories!

Rosslyn Chapel’s Green Men

You may have the feeling that hundreds of eyes are staring at you as you explore Rosslyn Chapel. Well they are! At least 100 Green Men poke their heads out from every nook and cranny, foliage spilling out of their mouth. It’s a feature not unique to Rosslyn, but their prevalence here really shows that blurred line between church and folklore.

Famous Characters

There’s even space to fit in some important characters like William the Seemly, the first Sinclair in Scotland. You can make out a female character behind him who may well be St Margaret. Tradition states that William accompanied her to Scotland in the 11th Century, before she married Malcolm Canmore, King of Scots.

William the Founder makes an appearance as well, his likeness forever gazing at the incredible chapel he built. A more debatable carving is a vague face hidden in an alcove. Nobody can say for sure, but it’s been claimed that this is the death mask of Robert the Bruce. However, that’s not nearly the wildest claim amongst these carvings.

Mysterious Foreign Plants

Nature and greenery are important features here and one example is claimed to be another of Rosslyn Chapel’s secrets. One archway is decorated with something that looks suspiciously like corn but that raises some questions. Christopher Columbas hadn’t found his way to America yet so surely nobody in Scotland should know what it looks like?

Christopher Columbas wasn’t the first European to make his way to America though. As the Vikings stretched their way across to Iceland and Greenland, they explored the edge of North America. Just how far down the coast they ventured and if they ever saw corn growing is a completely different story.

William Sinclair may have lived in Scotland, but he also happened to be a Norwegian noble. The story is that this potential carving of this American plant proves that William knew about the unexplored continent. Either he or his grandfather travelled across the Atlantic and their knowledge down through the family.

Rosslyn Chapel’s Hidden Music

One of the more fun group of carvings in Rosslyn Chapel are heavenly characters playing a host of different instruments. In truly Scottish fashion there is even an angel playing bagpipes! If you have a keen eye then you might also notice a series of carved cubes leading away from the musicians along the ceiling arch. If you have a code-breakers brain then you might be able to decipher a musical score from the cubes.

Father and son team Thomas and Stuart Mitchell think they cracked a hidden code in the sequences. Using a system of musical note visualization called Chladni Patterns, they even created a piece of music. It took a few assumptions and leaps to turn the series of cubes into the “Rosslyn Motet”, but I can’t deny that it’s a beautiful piece. Jude for yourself with the musical piece and a bit of explanation here.

The Legend Of The Apprentice Pillar

The most famous of Rosslyn Chapel’s stories has nothing to do with secrets, conspiracies or codes. It’s a good old fashioned tale of jealousy, rage and murder, revolving around the beautifully carved Apprentice Pillar.

When William Sinclair showed a drawing of the intricate pillar he wanted carved for Rosslyn Chapel, the Master mason took a sharp intake of breath. It was unbelievably ornate. Worried about replicating something so delicate, the mason claimed that he must see the original with his own two eyes. Maybe he was just after an all expenses paid trip to Italy, but off he went on his design pilgrimage.

While he was gone however, his Apprentice looked at the sketch and confident in his own abilities, set to work. When the Master mason returned after months away, he was faced with this perfectly finished pillar. The Apprentice cheerily confessed that this was his masterpiece and the Master was enraged that he had been eclipsed. Picking up his hammer he struck out, crushing the Apprentices skull.

The Master was executed for his crime and as extra punishment, his face was carved into Rosslyn Chapel opposite. His likeness forced to look at the incredible Apprentice Pillar for the rest of time.

More Secrets of Rosslyn Chapel?

I’ve barely scratched the surface of both the impressive carvings Rosslyn Chapel has to offer and the secrets that they might hold. There’s a reason that people have written entire books on the place! The chapel offers something for everybody, and your reasons are your own.

It might be a lifelong obsession with legends of the Holy Grail and Knights Templar. Equally it could just be a love of peaceful churches, Scottish history or mysterious stone carvings. Whatever your interests, visiting Rosslyn Chapel should be high on your list.

How To Visit Rosslyn Chapel

Hopefully I’ve convinced you to pay Rosslyn Chapel a visit, so you’ll need some details. You’ll find it not far outside of Edinburgh, click here for Google Maps. If you don’t have access to a car then the number 37 bus will take you from Edinburgh city centre. There’s a good car park and easy access for all.

Tickets should be bought in advance and at the moment there are set timeslots for entry each day including Sunday. The website is: https://www.rosslynchapel.com/

Adults – £9.50, Concessions – £7.50, Under 18 – Free

Make sure that you combine your visit with a wander down to the ruins of the incredible Roslin Castle. If you’re looking for other things to do in the Edinburgh area, try out some alternative activities here!

If it’s interesting stories you’re after then look no further than Glamis Castle!

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