Visited Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian yesterday. The last time we were there was about fifteen years ago, and its amazing how many changes there have been.
Rosslyn became ultra-famous after it was mentioned in Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code". My heart sunk a bit when I saw signs for the car park, coach park and overflow car park - the first intimation of the huge rise in visitor numbers. Then there was the new "visitor centre" which you have to go through to get to the chapel - paying £8.75 each in the process! There was a shop selling the usual tee shirts, playing cards, baseball caps etc and a cafe. This is what greets you as you approach the chapel itself.
No photography inside - don't suppose my photographs would do it justice anyway.
Lots of conservation work going on so the place is covered in scaffolding.
Inside is amazing - its now heated and there are guides on hand to answer questions. The carvings are magnificent and there are display boards explaining what everything is.
A lot of the outside of the building is still accessible and I took some photos - mostly of the cheeky little faces which are all over the building, both inside and out. You can read about the Green Man symbolism here.
Overall, I was very disappointed with my visit. When I knew we were going there, I thought, great, I'll be able to do a blog post about how wonderful Rosslyn is. I had been absolutely fascinated, intrigued and awestruck on my previous visits all those years ago. This time - I can only describe it as if someone had turned the atmosphere switch to OFF!
Can't even begin to imagine what it would be like in summer with coach loads of visitors! The only good point was that there was hardly anyone else there yesterday, so we were able to wander around in peace and quiet with no kids running about. But it didn't compare with the old days when you just wandered around an almost empty building and let your imagination take over as you gazed on the intricate stone carvings. Usually I get a "buzz" from old buildings, but I'm afraid, despite the new bio-wonderful heating, Rosslyn left me cold!
Love, Liz
12 comments:
You have treasured memories of 15 years ago keep that in your mind. I suppose all the attention and visitors has helped with the conservation costs.
I wish you a nice weekend!
It's a shame when places become over commercialised and the atmosphere is ruined.
Love from Mum
xx
What a wonderful place Liz, seems a shame that it has become too touristy and has lost its shine. I agree with Paulette, at least the money is helping to keep it preserved for future generations to enjoy also.
Sometimes it is best not to re-visit. Even if the places themselves have not changed, you as the viewer will have. I am sure the older memory with all it's magic will sty longer than the present day disappointment.
The nice thing is that the popularity has earned well needed renovation money! :) Nice story.
It's a shame when historical buildings bend over to the vast needs of the tourist, but I guess they were a victim of it as much as they were a success. But I do like being able to walk into cold buildings that have rarely been touched etc.
I too love all the old cheeky faces that churches seem to have, they add an extra level of fun and charm that I wouldn't traditionally associate with such places of worship!
Oh no, how disappointing for you Liz. I enjoyed looking at your exterior pics anyway.
Thanks for the great comments. You are right - at least the money is going to conserve the building for future generations. I've blogged before about buildings being left to rot - so I can't really complain about it!
Liz
I've been wanting to go since I read the davinci code, but suspected that I'd find what indeed you did. At least you got a day out and the weather wasn't bad!! It's bl***y freezing today!!
Your pictures are gorgeous! I love old buildings too. Even though sometimes they are too full of people to my liking. Hehehe. ;)
xx
Love the green men. They're spooky looking!
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