sanctuary

n. holy or sacred place; shelter, refuge; wildlife refuge, area of land set aside for the protection of wildlife; ancient Temple of Jerusalem (Judaism); holy of holies in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem (Judaism)

Sanctuary has multiple meanings. A sanctuary is the consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar. An animal sanctuary is a place where animals live and are protected. In modern parlance the term is used to mean a place of safety.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
(hypernym) place, property
(hyponym) holy of holies, sanctum sanctorum
2. a shelter from danger or hardship
(synonym) refuge, asylum
(hypernym) shelter
(hyponym) harbor, harbour
3. area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing
(synonym) chancel, bema
(hypernym) area
(part-holonym) church, church building
(part-meronym) choir

(n.)
The most sacred part of any religious building, esp. that part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed.
  

(n.)
The most retired part of the temple at Jerusalem, called the Holy of Holies, in which was kept the ark of the covenant, and into which no person was permitted to enter except the high priest, and he only once a year, to intercede for the people; also, the most sacred part of the tabernacle; also, the temple at Jerusalem.
  

(n.)
A sacred place; a consecrated spot; a holy and inviolable site.
  

(n.)
A sacred and inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and protection; shelter; refuge; protection.
  

(n.)
A house consecrated to the worship of God; a place where divine service is performed; a church, temple, or other place of worship.
  

The rule that allowed criminals not accused of infamy or felonies against Church property to seek refuge against the hew and cry issued when a felony was discovered. In most ecclesiastical properties, so long as no crime was committed against the church, a criminal could seek refuge for 40 days, after which they could be removed from the premises. In England, certain abbeys had an extended right of sanctuary, extending about for a league or more, with no limit on time. At these abbeys wanted persons could remain indefinitely, part of the abbey community.