15:59 13 March 2017
700-year old hidden caves once used as a sacred space by the ancient Knights Templar has been transformed into a site for rather less holy gatherings attracting worshippers of black magic.
Dominic Wass, 29, an acclaimed urban artist who once had a workshop on the site, said: “There’s definitely some strange stuff gone on down there,”
At one point, the labyrinth of carved chambers was filled with candles with sinister symbols scrawled on walls.
“They had left the garments behind after a ritual,” says Dominic. “At least they asked. It’s the mess left behind by the ones that don’t…”
The Knights Templar were believed to be created around the 12th century and famously portrayed in Dan Brown’s bestseller the Da Vinci Code. The group was composed by deeply religious men who took a vow of chastity and have promised to protect their faith. They limited themselves to eating meat three times a week and gave up their personal possessions.
As for the Caynton Caves, the biggest problem these days does not involve the Knights Templar but youths who are turning them into drinks dens filling them with scrawled messages and booze bottles on the floor.
Dominic said: “Why can’t they just put things back where they found them?”
He adds: “It’s not something we want to be associated with. In the past, we were happy provided they asked permission, said what they wanted to do and tidied up. But this is going too far.”