LINCOLN CATHERDRAL
The highlight of Lincoln is the Cathedral. Regarded as one of Europe's finest Gothic cathedrals, its four massive transepts dominate the Lincoln skyline for miles around. The moment I stepped into the cathedral I had the same reaction as every first-time visitor: "Wow!" This 480-foot-long, brightly lit place is amazing. After Westminster Abbey (which is longer but narrower) shot down Ron Howard�s request to film there, the Lincoln Cathedral welcomed them with open arms. That caused a lot of controversy, but the Dean of Lincoln posted a brilliant statement on their website describing why they allowed filming. He said in part: "The Da Vinci Code stimulates debate and the search for truth and we are glad to be part of this process. The book claims that the church has suppressed important facts about Jesus. The way to counter this accusation is to be open about the facts as we understand them and welcome vigorous debate. This is part of the Cathedral's mission � to get people talking about the truths of the Gospel. Our Bishop has said �People have been coming to Lincoln Cathedral for centuries in search of the Lincoln Imp. Through the warmth and friendliness of their welcome and the challenge of the building, they have gone away having found God.� There can be no better place for the Da Vinci Code to be filmed." If you�re wondering, here�s an explanation of the Lincoln IMP.

DVC TOURS OF THE LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
The people in Lincoln are no dummies. Allowing filming was one of the best PR decisions they could have made (in addition to their �100,000 fee). Beginning in May, when the film is released, the cathedral will receive worldwide attention. On May 15 the cathedral will begin its own Da Vinci Code tours, Mondays through Saturdays at 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. One of the highlights will be a small exhibition of set photography and props, showing how the cathedral interior was transformed into Westminster Abbey. They had to remove the chandeliers (Westminster doesn�t have them), and to the delight of the church the DVC crew cleaned them -- no easy or inexpensive task -- before putting them back up. Admission into the Cathedral: adults �4 ($7); children 5-12 �1 ($1.73). There is no additional charge for tower tours. The Lincoln Cathedral, 4 Priorygate, Lincoln; tel.: 1522-544544 (outside UK 44-1522-544544), email: visitors@lincolncathedral.com. For more click HERE.