A crypt is the usual name for this structure that you talked about. I present to you the following information which is an explanation of this unique architectural form.
Definition
A crypt is a basement room that is mainly located under a church, dome, or other religious building. The main functions are to be a chapel or burial place.
Key Features
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- Location: Beneath the main floor of a church or religious building.
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- Construction: Mostly cobblestone or cement material to increase durability
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- Size: Can take various forms generally from tiny rooms to wider interwoven spaces
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- Access: Stairs or a thin way blue can often grant admission
Primary Functions
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- Burial Place: Kept to accompany the ashes of high-rank religious people, kings, or big businessmen.
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- Chapel: They also generally function as a stand-alone place for prayer or introspection.
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- Reliquary: It may store the holy items of veneration or the symbols.
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- Historical Preservation: Tomb stones or war memorials are often present here.
Historical Significance
Crypts are representations of religious architecture that have been there for ages giving us some good historical insights like burial, architectural technics and people’s relationships in the old times.
Modern Usage
While crypts in modern construction are becoming rarer and rarer, old church crypts are nice places for the tourists to learn about the past. They attract people and the buildings exhibit various construction and design elements from different centuries.