The English Cemetery
When Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella conquered Malaga in 1487, they transformed the city into a stronghold of Roman Catholicism. Fast forward three and a half centuries, and Malaga had evolved dramatically into a thriving port and industrial hub where non-Catholics played an essential role in civic life.
Yet despite this cosmopolitan shift, non-Catholics faced a grim reality: they had no dignified burial options.
Before the English Cemetery’s establishment in 1831, Spain made no provision for non-Catholic burials. Every cemetery was consecrated according to Catholic rites, forcing Protestant residents into an undignified final rest.
Non-Catholics in Malaga could only be buried at night on the beach, placed upright in the sand where they remained vulnerable to waves and scavenging dogs. This shocking practice continued until one man decided to take action.
How the English Cemetery was founded
William Mark witnessed these distressing beach burials firsthand. When he became British Consul in 1824, he made it his mission to secure a proper burial ground for Protestants.
After years of negotiation, Malaga authorities finally granted Mark a plot of land in 1829 on the road to Almeria, outside the city limits. Here, he founded mainland Spain’s first Protestant cemetery, a groundbreaking achievement that opened in 1831.
Notable figures buried at the English Cemetery
The cemetery serves as the final resting place for many remarkable individuals who shaped Malaga’s history:
- Robert Boyd – Executed in Malaga for his involvement in General Torrijos’s failed liberal uprising in December 1831
- Jorge Guillén – Celebrated Spanish poet
- Gerald Brenan – Distinguished British Hispanist and author
- Aarne Haapakoski – Finnish writer
- Marjorie Grice-Hutchinson – Renowned economist
These graves tell the story of Malaga’s international community and their contributions to the city’s cultural and political development.
Restoration and St George’s Anglican Church
By the late 20th century, the cemetery had deteriorated significantly. Everything changed in 2006 when the non-profit Fundación Cementerio Inglés de Málaga acquired the property and began restoration efforts.
Today, the English Cemetery ranks among Malaga’s top tourist attractions. Visitors flock to admire the decorative gardens and explore the city’s history through the lens of its foreign residents. The site offers a unique perspective on how international communities influenced Malaga’s growth.
The cemetery grounds are also home to St George’s Anglican Church, which continues to hold services in English. For information about service times and church activities, visit their website.
Visiting the English Cemetery in Malaga
The English Cemetery is conveniently located in central Malaga:
- 5-minute walk from the Centre Pompidou gallery
- 15-minute walk from Calle Larios, the city’s main shopping street
This central location makes it easy to include in any Malaga itinerary.
For current opening hours and admission prices, check the official cemetery website before your visit.
Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga a decade ago having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found this site in 2016.