Stunning photos show rare look inside 580-year-old church that inspired ‘The Da Vinci Code’

Stunning photos show a rare glimpse inside the 580-year-old church which inspired The Da Vinci Code.

Rosslyn Chapel, located in Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland was founded in 1446 by Sir William St. Clair.

The chapel fell into disrepair in 1650, following the Reformation, but underwent repairs following an 1842 visit from Queen Victoria.

Rosslyn Chapel reopened in 1862, with Sunday services resuming under the Scottish Episcopal Church.

In the 1980s, theories surfaced that the chapel had a connection with the Knights Templar and Freemasonry — and was even featured in a limited edition copy of Batman, where the titular hero discovered treasures in Rosslyn.

In 2003, the chapel served as a key location in Dan Brown’s novel ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ before being used as a filming location in the 2006 film adaptation.

The book sold over 81 million copies, and features murder investigators Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu, who follow a trail of clues which leads them to Rosslyn Chapel.

Its film adaptation starred Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou – with the former stating: “Few locations in film are so delightful and few destinations live up to their billing, but Rosslyn Chapel was all one could imagine or hope for.”

The connections to freemasonry were made thanks to symbols in the chapel which appear to be similar to those appearing on the Knights Templar Seal — however these claims were debunked in a 2003 study by Robert L.D. Cooper, who described them as “nonsense.”

However, the chapel still receives visitors inspired by the novel and film – reaching 176,000 visitors at the peak of its popularity.