Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeExplore the Capitol CampusBuildings & GroundsU.S. Capitol Building
Crypt
        
                  Buildings and grounds
  

        
              U.S. Capitol Building
                                        Capitol Dome
                                                Capitol Rotunda
                                                Capitol Subway System
                                                Crypt
                                                House Wing
                                                Senate Wing
                                                U.S. Capitol Grounds
                                                U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterThe Basics
      
Location
    Center of the U.S. Capitol, First Floor

AOC Jurisdiction
    Capitol BuildingThis center section of the building was completed in 1827 under the direction of the third Architect of the Capitol, Charles Bulfinch.

This vaulted space beneath the Rotunda has long been called the Crypt because of its resemblance to similar areas in churches, which were often used for chapels and tombs.

Forty Aquia Creek sandstone columns in the Doric style support the floor above and were installed in the 1820s under architect Charles Bulfinch, who completed the construction of the Capitol in 1826.

A Walk Through the U.S. Capitol CryptThe floor is original and is paved with stone from the quarry at Seneca, Maryland. The central white marble "compass stone" in the floor marks the center of the U.S. Capitol and is the point where the city is divided into quadrants (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest).

Located in the Crypt are 13 statues from the National Statuary Hall Collection, representing the 13 original colonies, and the Magna Carta replica and display.

Directly beneath the Crypt is a space where Congress had hoped to place the remains of George and Martha Washington. However, their graves remained at Mount Vernon, and no one has been buried in the Capitol.
          
    
      Image Gallery
    
    View of the star in the center of the Crypt floor.

View of the star in the center of the Crypt floor.
    View of the Crypt in the U.S. Capitol.

      Previous Image
        Next Image

          View of the star in the center of the Crypt floor.
      View of the Crypt in the U.S. Capitol.
Image
    Marble statue of a person standing.
  The Art Collection
        Crawford W. Long Statue
        This statue of Crawford W. Long was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Georgia in 1926.
        About the Piece
        VIEW ALL ART

Background Image
Is anyone buried in the Capitol?

        
No. A tomb area was built for the remains of George Washington beneath the Crypt, but his will specified that he wished to be buried at his home at Mount Vernon, and his descendants honored this wish.


                  
See Also: How the Crypt Got its Name
U.S. Capitol Building
Explore More
            
          Drawing.Capitol Dome
    Flower bed, outside, blue sky.U.S. Capitol Grounds
    Indoor train.Capitol Subway System
    Crowd in a room.U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
    Looking straight up in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.Capitol Rotunda Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe