Specialist contractors have recounted an "eerie" experience working within the preserved grave of King Richard III, following the completion of repairs to a cracked glazing panel. The historic burial site, now a focal point of a visitor centre in Leicester, required significant intervention after accidental damage occurred in 2024.
The extensive repair project, costing nearly £30,000, was undertaken by Olivetti Group. Fran Abell, the firm's head of small works, noted the unique atmosphere of the site, stating, "I'm not a spiritual person but [the grave] has a feel to it." Abell also highlighted the active airflow system designed to preserve the archaeology, which creates a "quite pleasant atmosphere other than the eerie nature of what you are standing next to."
The damage to the thick, triple-glazed glass panel, which allows visitors to view the grave from above, was caused when a visitor's glass bottle accidentally fell from a pocket and shattered on the surface. While the incident occurred in 2024, the complex repair was delayed due to the necessity of sourcing rare reinforced glass for the replacement. Leicester City Council, which manages the visitor centre, confirmed that the replacement was successfully carried out without any adverse impact on the precious archaeological remains.
The repair process involved stonemasons removing nearby benches before a crane was used to carefully lift the heavy glass panel. A protective platform and tarpaulin were then erected over the grave to safeguard the site from falling debris during the intricate work. A council spokesperson explained that the impact caused a distinct crack across the top layer of the panel, though it remained structurally safe.
King Richard III, the last Plantagenet monarch of England, was killed during the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. For centuries, the location of his burial remained a mystery, with some believing his body was cast into the River Soar. However, in 2012, archaeologists from the University of Leicester, in collaboration with the Richard III Society, successfully located his skeleton beneath a council car park. His remains, notable for the king's curved spine, were later reinterred at Leicester Cathedral.