SANTIAGO, Chile — The crypt beneath the Metropolitan Cathedral houses historic gravesites, serving as the final resting place for significant religious figures. Located underneath the eighteenth-century cathedral, these burial sites represent an important aspect of Chilean Catholic history. The underground burial chamber maintains traditional church practices of interring religious leaders within sacred ground.
Photograph by David Coleman. The crypt of Santiago's Metropolitan Cathedral contains burial sites that reflect the traditional Catholic practice of interring important religious figures within church grounds. This underground chamber, situated beneath the cathedral constructed between 1748 and 1800, serves as a significant historical repository of Chilean Catholic heritage. The crypt follows the longstanding tradition of ecclesiastical burial, where church leaders and notable religious figures were laid to rest within consecrated ground of their cathedral. These grave sites represent both historical documentation and religious continuity, preserving the memory of those who served the Catholic Church in Chile. The burial chamber maintains the solemnity appropriate to its function while providing historical insight into the cathedral's role in Chilean religious life. As part of the cathedral complex, the crypt combines its memorial function with architectural and historical significance, contributing to our understanding of religious practices in colonial and post-colonial Chile.
Size: 7068px × 4717px
Location: Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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