The Addolorata Chapels and Cemetery, Malta,

The cemetery was built between 1862 and 1868 Tal-Ħorr hill which was already a burial ground since prehistoric times.This is Emanuele Luigi Galizia’s second funery project after Ta’ Braxia cemtery in Pieta. This cemetery and the chapel are built in the graceful neo-gothic style, one of the most popular styles of the 19th century. This cemetery is full of old Mausoleums and statues in marble and bronze. Furthermore, it contains 250 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 18 from the Second World War.The entrance to the cemetery “pointedly” proclaims its neo-Gothicism, unexpected in largely Baroque Malta, but rather popular in the later nineteenth century. Sadly, only the two smaller side gates have the original intricate ironwork, not the centre gate. The spire of the cemetery chapel rises high in the distance within. The cemetery office has an ogee window above its arcaded porch, and a balustraded parapet above that. From the side, the gatehouse is seen complete with hexagonal battlemented tower, winged gargoyles, and pinnacles with crocketing and finials.The iconic Neo-gothic Chapel of Our Lady is definitely the centre of attraction within the whole complex. Perched strategically in the middle, 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. 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.