Crypt
A crypt (from the Greek ‘krypto’, which means hidden or concealed) is a vaulted room frequently made of stone and located beneath a building, usually a church or cathedral. Crypts can also be found in cemeteries, mausolea and chapels, as well as public buildings.
A crypt may be entirely or partly below ground. Occasionally, a crypt may be located at ground level, which would result in the entire building being raised.
Crypts may also be referred to as crofts or undercrofts, however, a croft under a house is not usually called a crypt, which over the centuries has taken more of a religious significance.
When under a church, crypts are usually contained within the limits of the choir or chancel and its aisles, but may be smaller in their subterranean extent, typically confined to just under the altar or the main apse.
The decoration and majesty that is often observed in churches and cathedrals is not usually carried through to the crypt, which is often executed in a much plainer style but nevertheless still well constructed.
Crypts originally emerged as part of French Romanesque architecture in the middle of the eighth century and then spread across much of Western Europe.
In the UK, crypts were often used as chapels and contained an altar and other necessary accessories required for the celebration of feasts. Sometimes, a crypt might be used to allow pilgrims a glimpse of a saint’s tomb or other holy remains and relics. Later, crypts were used more to contain the coffins of the deceased.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
IHBC NewsBlog
Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit developed by City of London and Purcell
The toolkit is designed to provide clear and actionable guidance for owners, occupiers and caretakers of historic and listed buildings.
70 countries sign Declaration de Chaillot at Buildings & Climate Global Forum
The declaration is a foundational document enabling progress towards a ‘rapid, fair, and effective transition of the buildings sector’
Bookings open for IHBC Annual School 12-15 June 2024
Theme: Place and Building Care - Finance, Policy and People in Conservation Practice
Rare Sliding Canal Bridge in the UK gets a Major Update
A moveable rail bridge over the Stainforth and Keadby Canal in the Midlands in England has been completely overhauled.
'Restoration and Renewal: Developing the strategic case' Published
The House of Commons Library has published the research briefing, outlining the different options for the Palace of Westminster.
Brum’s Broad Street skyscraper plans approved with unusual rule for residents
A report by a council officer says that the development would provide for a mix of accommodation in a ‘high quality, secure environment...
English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023
Initial findings from the English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023 have been published.
Audit Wales research report: Sustainable development?
A new report from Audit Wales examines how Welsh Councils are supporting repurposing and regeneration of vacant properties and brownfield sites.
New Guidance Launched on ‘Understanding Special Historic Interest in Listing’
Historic England (HE) has published this guidance to help people better understand special historic interest, one of the two main criteria used to decide whether a building can be listed or not.
"Conservation Professional Practice Principles" to be updated by IHBC, HTVF, CV
IHBC, HTVF, and CV look to renew this cross-sector statement on practice principles for specialists working in built and historic environment conservation roles.