The sacristy (from the Latin sacre, sacred) is the place where the priests are vested and where the ornaments and other things belonging to the cult are kept.[1]​ In wine culture, it is known as the place where the most precious wines are kept or those consumed by the family that owns the winery.

The objects necessary for the mass kept in the sacristy are, for example, unconsecrated hosts, chalices "Chalice (liturgy)"), chasubles, water, manutergio"), etc. It is usually closed to the public although sometimes it can be visited as part of the monumental complex of a church or cathedral.[2]​ In particular it is used by the parish priest and other officiants as a place to make the necessary preparations and to change before and after the mass. The sacristy is usually in charge of a sacristan.[3]​.

The parish register is often kept in the sacristy.

The sacristies usually have a special basin, the sacrarium, whose drain goes directly to the ground. In this pool the linens used during the celebration of mass and other objects used during communion are washed.

It is usually located inside the church, but may be in an annex or in a separate building (as in some monasteries). In most ancient churches the sacristy is located near one of the side altarpieces or more usually behind or next to the main altarpiece. In more modern churches the sacristy is often located elsewhere, such as the entrance to the church.

Some churches have more than one sacristy, each of which will have a specific function. Often the additional sacristies are used for the maintenance of the church and its objects, such as candles, etc.

In Eastern Christian churches, the part of the church where the altar is located is used, separated by the Iconostasis, so there is no sacristy as such.

Sometimes the area of ​​a winery where the most valuable wines are kept or those consumed by the owner family is called a sacristy.[4]​.