Jump directly to the content
BRITAIN'S SISTINE CHAPEL

Stunning ceiling inside the Old Royal Naval College restored to its former glory in painstaking £3million refurb project

Incredible fresco by Sir James Thornhill King depicts William III and Queen Mary II, who founded the Royal Hospital for Seamen in 1694

WORK has begun on a £3million project to restore Britain’s answer to the Sistine Chapel to its former glory.

The magnificent Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London will be given a thorough refurb over the next three years.

A conservator works on the restoration of Britain's answer to The Sistine Chapel
8
A conservator works on the restoration of Britain's answer to The Sistine ChapelCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
A £3million project will see the magnificent Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College given a thorough refurb over the next two years
8
A £3million project will see the magnificent Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College given a thorough refurb over the next two yearsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The project will allow future visitors to enjoy the 40,000 square foot creation close-up
8
The project will allow future visitors to enjoy the 40,000 square foot creation close-upCredit: PA:Press Association

Skilled conservators will work on the ceiling’s painted surfaces which were created between 1707 and 1726 by the artist Sir James Thornhill.

The project will allow future visitors to enjoy the 40,000 square foot creation close-up.

It depicts King William III and Queen Mary II, who founded the Royal Hospital for Seamen in 1694.

In the spectacular fresco, the King and Queen are pictured with the Vestibule and its soaring cupola, which lists the donors who contributed to the establishment of the Royal Hospital.

It’s the hall’s first major restoration in over half a century and over its three-year duration will see it cleaned of layers of dirt.

MOST READ IN NEWS

Baby Driver actor dies aged 16 after he falls out of moving car
TEENAGE TRAGEDY

Baby Driver actor dies aged 16 after he falls out of moving car

Seven injured after cab smashes into pedestrians on Christmas Day
HOLIDAY HORROR

Seven injured after cab smashes into pedestrians on Christmas Day

Labour's first six months has easily been worst of any Government in my life
ROD LIDDLE

Labour's first six months has easily been worst of any Government in my life

I lost two sons and my fiancé in the Boxing Day tsunami… it destroyed my life
FACE REALITY

I lost two sons and my fiancé in the Boxing Day tsunami… it destroyed my life

The building itself was designed by famed architects Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor and built between 1696 and 1712.

The Painted Hall was originally used by Navy veterans but, once completed, it was deemed too grand to act as a dining hall and instead well-to-do visitors were allowed in to look around with the pensioners acting as tour guides.

Admiral Nelson's body to laid in state their in 1806 and a plaque still marks the spot where his coffin lay.

The last restoration work was carried out in the 1950s when 15 layers of varnish had to be meticulously removed.

The grand building on the banks of the river Thames was built between 1696 and 1712
8
The grand building on the banks of the river Thames was built between 1696 and 1712Credit: Getty Images
Skilled conservators will work on the ceiling’s painted surfaces which were created between 1707 and 1726 by the artist Sir James Thornhill
8
Skilled conservators will work on the ceiling’s painted surfaces which were created between 1707 and 1726 by the artist Sir James ThornhillCredit: PA:Press Association
The 40,000 square foot fresco depicts King William III and Queen Mary II
8
The 40,000 square foot fresco depicts King William III and Queen Mary IICredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Most recently it has been used as a location for films such as the Pirates of the Caribbean and The Iron Lady.

William Palin, Conservation Director for the Old Royal Naval College, said: 'The Painted Hall is one of Britain's greatest architectural and artistic treasures but it is too little known.

'Central to this project is cutting-edge conservation and the highest curatorial standards. These will give the Painted Hall the national and international prominence it deserves.'

It’s the hall’s first major restoration in over half a century and over its three-year duration will see it cleaned of layers of dirt
8
It’s the hall’s first major restoration in over half a century and over its three-year duration will see it cleaned of layers of dirtCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The Painted Hall was originally used by Navy veterans but, once completed, it was deemed too grand
8
The Painted Hall was originally used by Navy veterans but, once completed, it was deemed too grandCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368

Topics
machibet777.com