The Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery (, "Cemetery of Our Lady of Sorrows"; formerly

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

: ''Cimitero di Santa Maria Addolorata''), often known simply as the Addolorata Cemetery (), is a state-owned,

Neo-Gothic Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic or neo-Gothic) is an architectural movement that after a gradual build-up beginning in the second half of the 17th century became a widespread movement in the first half of the 19th century ...

cemetery located in Paola, Malta. It is a multi-faith cemetery, but predominantly characterized by Catholic burials. It is the largest burial ground in the country and has been expanded a number of times. People of all social background are buried within the cemetery, and it consists from temporary memorial plaques of the death (which are removed over time) to permanent monuments including chapels belonging to private families. The cemetery also includes Commonwealth War graves.

History

The cemetery was built between 1862 and 1868 on a hill known as ''Tal-Ħorr'' (formerly ''Tal Palma'' in Maltese) which already hosted a burial ground since prehistoric times. The cemetery and the chapel were built in a neo-gothic design based on designs by the architect Emanuele Luigi Galizia. It was opened on May 9, 1869 and the first burial took place on January 23, 1872. This cemetery is full of old mausoleums and statues in marble and bronze. The cemetery was further extended in the 1970s. The cemetery contains 277 identified interments and commemorations of military personnel killed in the country in

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Many graves are marked by

Commonwealth War Graves Commission The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves and places of commemoration of Commonwealth of Nations mil ...

(CWGC) gravestones. The language used in the tombstones is

until

1934 Events January–February * January 1 – The International Telecommunication Union, a specialist agency of the League of Nations, is established. * January 15 – The 8.0 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake, Nepal–Bihar earthquake strik ...

, then mainly English. In more recent gravestones, the most frequently used language is Maltese.

Chapel

The iconic neo-gothic Chapel of Our Lady (formerly in

: ''Cappella della Beata Vergine Addolorata'') is the centre of attraction within the whole complex. The cemetery is built around the chapel, which lies on the highest part of the hill. Its spire is visible from miles away above the surrounding trees. The care of the non-denominational chapel was in the hands of the Franciscan Capuchins until 2010.

References

External links

{{commons category-inline Paola, Malta Cemeteries in Malta Catholic cemeteries in Europe Gothic Revival architecture in Malta Buildings and structures completed in 1869 1869 establishments in Malta Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in Malta