Having remained largely unchanged throughout renovations which rearranged the buildings they are part of, in particular
between the late 16th and 17th century, the crypts in Northern Lazio are a corpus of organisms that are typologically similar
to each other. Situated below the presbytery, they faithfully reproduce its silhouette, thereby assuming the shape of a ‘hall‘ or
‘oratory’, which is something that can be found in similar structures built from the beginning of the 11th century in Europe and
Central and Northern Italy. They are divided into aisles by a grid of columns, often spolia, as are the bases and capitals, which
creates a modular system of bays that are almost square, with groin vault ceilings.
After analysing their possible antecedents
in the area concerned, a few observations are made in the essay by comparing the geometries and internal distribution of
each crypt. The architects implemented specific choices in terms of use of architectural space by using diagonal views, the
hierarchical delineation of the aisles and the adoption of characteristic ceiling systems. The variety of solutions found within
the considerable unity of the basic design, demonstrates the autonomy with which medieval builders worked on construction
sites, which as in this case, are also close to each other both geographically and chronologically.
