Da Vinci Code Chapel Given Multi-Million Pound Restoration

A multi-million pound restoration grant has been awarded to the medieval chapel that starred in the Da Vinci Code blockbuster film.

The 15th Century Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian has been given £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2.68m from Historic Scotland, BBC reports.

Since featuring in Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code, the chapel has seen its visitor numbers quadruple. The money will help with a new reception, exhibition space and cafe.

Scotland's minister for tourism, culture and sport, Patricia Ferguson, made the announcement on Thursday.

She said: "Rosslyn Chapel has gained worldwide fame through the success of the Da Vinci Code.

"What many do not realise is that the chapel has in fact enjoyed international acclaim as one of Scotland's most impressive and important buildings for hundreds of years.

"The protection it receives from being listed and scheduled has helped to ensure that we have this national treasure still."

Following 10 years of detailed investigation and planning, an extensive five-year programme of repair has now been established, which will include conserving and protecting the stonework, repairing the stained and leaded glass and restoring the Victorian baptistery.

Andrew Russell, managing trustee of the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: "These awards mark a vital milestone in the history of the Trust, and of the chapel as a whole.

"When our plans to conserve the fabric of the building and improve our visitor facilities are complete, we expect to have invested over £13m and to be providing a greatly enhanced visitor experience to a much broader audience."