Kryptorna

Kryptorna are subterranean chambers located beneath churches, monasteries, and cemeteries. The term derives from Latin crypta, via Greek kryptē, and in many languages refers to underground burial vaults or rooms used for sacred purposes. Kryptorna typically consist of vaulted galleries or rooms with burial niches, sarcophagi, or ossuaries. Light is limited and walls are thick, creating cool and damp conditions that have influenced burial practices and the preservation of relics and objects.

Historically, crypts date from late antiquity and the medieval period and served as secure burial places for clergy, nobility, and saints, as well as for storing relics and liturgical items. In many regions, crypts formed integral parts of church architecture or cemetery complexes and could include doors or passageways connecting them to the surface.

Today, kryptorna are often preserved as cultural heritage sites. Conservation priorities include managing moisture and salt efflorescence, maintaining structural stability, and protecting artworks and reliquaries. Access varies: some crypts are open to the public as part of church visits or museums, while others are restricted for safety or ongoing preservation work. Notable examples include the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, among various church crypts across Europe, which illustrate historical burial practices and religious devotion.