Addolorata Cemetery, Paola

Addolorata Cemetery
Iċ-Ċimiterju tal-Addolorata
Details
Location Paola
Country Malta
Coordinates 35°52′07.3″N 14°30′00.7″E / 35.868694°N 14.500194°E / 35.868694; 14.500194Coordinates: 35°52′07.3″N 14°30′00.7″E / 35.868694°N 14.500194°E / 35.868694; 14.500194
Style Neo-gothic
Owned by Government of Malta
No. of graves c.300,000
Website Website

The Addolorata Cemetery and Chapel (translated as the Cemetery of Our Lady of Sorrows) is a state owned neo-gothic cemetery located in Paola, Malta.

History

The cemetery was built between 1862 and 1868 on a hill known as Tal-Ħorr which was already a burial ground since prehistoric times.[1] 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. Nonetheless, 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. Addolorata Cemetery contains 250 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 18 from the Second World War.

Chapel

The Cemetery Chapel

The iconic neo-gothic Chapel of Our Lady is definitely the centre of attraction within the whole complex. The cemetery is built around the chapel which the chapel lies on he highest part of the hill. Its spire is visible from miles away above the surrounding trees. Up until 2011, the care of the chapel was in the hands of the Franciscan Capuchins who ceased their services in 2011.[2] Since then no religious order has taken responsibility for care of the chapel. Amidst the fact that the chapel was mostly used for Roman Catholic services, the chapel is not a Roman Catholic church and is not owned by the church. Like the rest of the cemetery the chapel is public property and thus is non-denominational.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Cemeteries", Malta-canada. Retrieved on 12 May 2017.
  2. ↑ "Addolorata Cemetery Chapel closed", Times of Malta, Malta, 10 January 2011. Retrieved on 12 May 2017.
  3. ↑ Zarb-Dimech, A. "Addolorata Cemetery Chapel closed", The Malta Independent, Malta, 16 January 2011. Retrieved on 12 May 2017.
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