It is located west of the city, more specifically in the José Martí district and stands out for being the resting place of the remains of a large number of heroes and famous figures in the history and culture of Cuba, including José Martí and Fidel Castro.

[1][2] The signature resting place is that of José Martí, Cuba's national hero, whose mausoleum is guarded by Cuban soldiers at the entrance.

The most important mausoleum is dedicated to José Julián Martí Pérez, the National Hero,[5] who was buried together with the other mambises veterans from 1947 to 1951, with the current tomb being inaugurated on June 30, 2002, which is guarded by a permanent guard of honour since 2002.

[6][7] The cemetery is reached by public transit from bus stops across Avenida Capitán Raúl Perozo.

On November 25, 2016, the then President of the Council of State and Ministers Raúl Castro, informed Cuba and the world of the death of his brother Fidel, historic leader of the Cuban Revolution and who led the country for almost five decades, and on the day December 4, 2016, his burial took place in this cemetery.