U.S. Capitol Crypt and the planned tomb for George Washington

Beneath the United States Capitol Rotunda is the Crypt, a circular, columned chamber that was created in the early 19th century and was long intended as a possible burial place for George Washington. Congressional and architectural plans in the early republic proposed interring Washington in the Capitol, but Washington was ultimately buried at his Mount Vernon estate in accordance with his will. The Crypt remains empty of a presidential tomb and is an observable historic space beneath the Capitol.