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 was built between 1862 and 1868 on a hill known as Tal-Ħorr (formerly Tal Palma[3] in Maltese) which already hosted a burial ground since prehistoric times.

The iconic neo-gothic Chapel of Our Lady (formerly in Italian: Cappella della Beata Vergine Addolorata[6]) 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.