In Ancient Roman architecture a cryptoporticus (from [Latin] crypta and porticus) is a covered corridor or passageway.[1] The usual English is "cryptoportico". The cryptoportico is a semi-subterranean gallery whose vaulting supports portico structures aboveground and which is lit from openings at the tops of its arches.
On sloping sites the open side of a cryptoporticus is often partially at ground level and supports a structure such as a forum or Roman villa, in which case it served as basis villae. It is often vaulted and lit by openings in the vault. In the letters of Pliny the Younger,[2] the term is used as a synonym of crypt. The shade and semi-excavated site of a cryptoportico provided cool and moderated temperatures useful for storage of perishables, while it offered a level and slightly raised podium for the superstructure.
The cryptoporticus of ArlesCryptoportico in the Roman forum at Reims, built in the third century ADCryptoporticus (Aosta)
CoimbraEdit
The cryptoporticus of Coimbra, the old Roman city of Aeminium, was built to create an artificial platform over which the city's forum could be built. Later, the Bishop's Palace (still standing today as Machado de Castro National Museum) was built using the platform created by the structure thus preserving it in perfect condition.
ArlesEdit
The cryptoporticus of Arles, dating from the 1st century BC was built as foundation for the forum, which has since been replaced by the Chapel of the Jesuit College and the City Hall. Three double, parallel tunnels arranged in the form of a U are supported by fifty piers. Masons' marks on the stonework indicate that it was built by Greeks, probably from Marseille. Similar structures in Narbonne, Reims, and Bavay were used as granaries. The cryptoporticus at Arles is, however, too damp for prolonged storage and may have served as a barracks for public slaves. The cryptoporticus of Arles is listed as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, together with other Roman buildings of the city, as part of the Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments group.
ReimsEdit
The cryptoporticus of Reims, formerly enclosing three sides of the forum, is of Gallo-Roman origin and was probably built during the 3rd century. Today, only its Eastern part remains, but this is unusually well preserved for a Gallo-Roman structure.
Other placesEdit
Other well-known examples include the cryptoporticus of Hadrian's Villa and that of the House of the Cryptoporticus in Pompeii. A well-preserved cryptoporticus is also located at the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. In Rome, a cryptoporticus is located in the Catacomb of Priscilla, a remnant from a large Roman villa.
The U.S. Embassy in Rome has a great webpage about The Cryptoporticus. Apparently while they were building the embassy, they stumbled upon one. It has a lot of information and great resources/references. Here's the link. https://it.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/rome/cryptoporticus/
A cryptoporticus at Chateau d'Anet in Anet, Eure-et-Loir, France
(in French)
October 18, 2023
cryptoporticus, ancient, roman, architecture, cryptoporticus, from, latin, crypta, porticus, covered, corridor, passageway, usual, english, cryptoportico, cryptoportico, semi, subterranean, gallery, whose, vaulting, supports, portico, structures, aboveground, . In Ancient Roman architecture a cryptoporticus from Latin crypta and porticus is a covered corridor or passageway 1 The usual English is cryptoportico The cryptoportico is a semi subterranean gallery whose vaulting supports portico structures aboveground and which is lit from openings at the tops of its arches Cryptoporticus of Emperor NeroOn sloping sites the open side of a cryptoporticus is often partially at ground level and supports a structure such as a forum or Roman villa in which case it served as basis villae It is often vaulted and lit by openings in the vault In the letters of Pliny the Younger 2 the term is used as a synonym of crypt The shade and semi excavated site of a cryptoportico provided cool and moderated temperatures useful for storage of perishables while it offered a level and slightly raised podium for the superstructure Contents 1 Examples 1 1 Coimbra 1 2 Arles 1 3 Reims 1 4 Other places 2 References 3 External linksExamples Edit nbsp The cryptoporticus of Arles nbsp Cryptoportico in the Roman forum at Reims built in the third century AD nbsp Cryptoporticus Aosta Coimbra Edit The cryptoporticus of Coimbra the old Roman city of Aeminium was built to create an artificial platform over which the city s forum could be built Later the Bishop s Palace still standing today as Machado de Castro National Museum was built using the platform created by the structure thus preserving it in perfect condition Arles Edit The cryptoporticus of Arles dating from the 1st century BC was built as foundation for the forum which has since been replaced by the Chapel of the Jesuit College and the City Hall Three double parallel tunnels arranged in the form of a U are supported by fifty piers Masons marks on the stonework indicate that it was built by Greeks probably from Marseille Similar structures in Narbonne Reims and Bavay were used as granaries The cryptoporticus at Arles is however too damp for prolonged storage and may have served as a barracks for public slaves The cryptoporticus of Arles is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with other Roman buildings of the city as part of the Arles Roman and Romanesque Monuments group Reims Edit The cryptoporticus of Reims formerly enclosing three sides of the forum is of Gallo Roman origin and was probably built during the 3rd century Today only its Eastern part remains but this is unusually well preserved for a Gallo Roman structure Other places Edit Other well known examples include the cryptoporticus of Hadrian s Villa and that of the House of the Cryptoporticus in Pompeii A well preserved cryptoporticus is also located at the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo Italy In Rome a cryptoporticus is located in the Catacomb of Priscilla a remnant from a large Roman villa The U S Embassy in Rome has a great webpage about The Cryptoporticus Apparently while they were building the embassy they stumbled upon one It has a lot of information and great resources references Here s the link https it usembassy gov embassy consulates rome cryptoporticus References Edit Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Crypto porticus Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 7 11th ed Cambridge University Press p 566 Pliny Epistles ii 17 16ff v 6 27 28 vii 21 2 ix 36 3 External links Edit nbsp Media related to Cryptoporticus at Wikimedia Commons A picture of a cryptoporticus at Hadrian s Villa at Tivoli in Italy A cryptoporticus at Chateau d Anet in Anet Eure et Loir France The cryptoporticus of Arles in French Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cryptoporticus amp oldid 1149117786, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
