King Richard III Visitor Centre opening 26 July Book your - TopicsExpress

King Richard III Visitor Centre opening 26 July Book your tickets online now kriii The wait is almost over… More than 500 years after the death of the last English king to die in battle, the story of one of history’s most controversial monarchs will be brought to life once again in a stunning new visitor centre. King Richard III – who was slain at Bosworth Field in 1485, brought back to Leicester and buried in a makeshift grave which lay lost for centuries – will once again take centre stage at a new exhibition which is due to open in summer 2014. The striking old Leicester Grammar School building at St Martin’s Place is being transformed into the breath-taking new exhibition. The project will renovate both the inside and outside of the Victorian Gothic building to create two floors of exhibition space and a new covered area allowing visitors access to the original grave site in which Richards remains were discovered in August 2012. [ Zoom ] Courtyard view looking south The centre, entitled ‘King Richard III: Dynasty, Death and Discovery, will guide visitors through the dramatic story of the kings life, brutal death and the fascinating story of his rediscovery. It will be told through state-of-the-art interactive displays and demonstrations and colourful hands-on exhibits. ‘Dynasty’ tells the much debated story of the king’s life and times in a medieval England racked by decades of fighting in the Wars Of The Roses, detailing Richard’s rise to power as the last king from the great house of Plantagenet. [ Zoom ] Ground floor: Lord Protector and Kingship exhibit ‘Death’ gives visitors the chance to learn about the key players in the Battle of Bosworth and how betrayal led to the king being cut down in the thick of battle whilst defending his crown. This remarkable turn of events saw Henry VII seize the crown and ushered in a new chapter in the English monarchy: the Tudor dynasty. Finally, ‘Discovery’ unearths the astonishing story of the archaeology, science and painstaking analysis that led to the rediscovery and identification of the long-lost remains of the king after excavating a grave beneath a car park which was the former site of the medieval friary of the Grey Friars. Completing the visitor experience will be a chance to visit the site of King Richard’s grave, preserved in a quiet, respectful setting and with a contemplative atmosphere fitting for the last resting place of a slain warrior and anointed monarch. [ Zoom ] First Floor, Gallery 4 Other notable features include a new courtyard garden, glass entrance hall and cafe. The exhibition will also include a glass balcony that will use technology to show visitors how the modern day view compares with that of the city in the Middle Ages. The new visitor experience will be the centrepiece of a series of regeneration projects in the surrounding area, including newly-pedestrianised Peacock Lane linking the centre to Cathedral Gardens – an area of open green spaces, paths and artwork between Leicester Cathedral and the King Richard III Visitor Centre. To keep in touch with the latest news and developments of the King Richard III Visitor Centre. Plan your visit and book tickets online at kriii and follow them on twitter and facebook.