'When I decided to write The Da Vinci Code, I knew that its finale would have to take place at the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth - Rosslyn.'
Dan Brown
'Rosslyn Chapel was all one could imagine or hope for.'
Tom Hanks
About The Da Vinci Code
Rosslyn Chapel came to worldwide prominence through The Da Vinci Code, a novel written by Dan Brown, which was published in 2003.
In the story, the main characters, Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu, investigate a murder in the Louvre and, in doing so, follow a set of clues to unravel a mystery, taking them to London and then to Rosslyn Chapel.
It is estimated that 81 million copies of the book have been published, making it one of the most popular of all time.
In 2006, a film was made, based on the book. The aerial view of the Chapel in the film was based on a one-sixth scale model, specially created, because the Chapel itself was under scaffolding at the time.
Most of the interior scenes of the Chapel were filmed in September 2005, and the main actors Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, were on site for a few days.
In the film, the characters enter the Chapel by the west door and replica walls were created and temporarily put in place to keep the scaffolding out of view (see image above.
After filming, Tom Hanks said:
'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 Da Vinci Code has had a profound impact on visitor numbers at the Chapel which grew to over 176,000 at their peak, allowing the Trust to complete its major conservation project.
Still to read it? You can buy a copy of The Da Vinci Code from our online shop!
Celebrating the film's 10th anniversary
To mark the 10th anniversary of the film's release, two special outdoor screenings took place in September 2016.
Over 350 people braved the weekend weather to enjoy two screenings of the film which put Rosslyn Chapel on the worldwide map, held on location to mark the 10th anniversary of its release.
The outdoor screenings were held on Friday 23 September and Saturday 24 September, in the grounds of Collegehill House, adjacent to Rosslyn Chapel. They were sponsored by Quilter Cheviot and supported by Film Mobile.
Taking to the stage
Over the years, Rosslyn Chapel has featured in books, inspired paintings and even starred in a Hollywood blockbuster; in 2022, it took to the stage when the Da Vinci Code came to a number of Scottish theatres.
The stage adaptation, based on the best-selling novel by Dan Brown, featured Nigel Harman, Danny John-Jules and Hannah Rose Caton in the leading roles.
Oliver-award winning actor Nigel Harman (best known for EastEnders and Downton Abbey), Danny John-Jules (best known for Red Dwarf and Death in Paradise) and Edinburgh actress Leigh Lothian all visited Rosslyn Chapel, a key location in the book and film, to launch the production's Scottish dates.
