English Cemetery of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The English Cemetery of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a small, quiet burial ground tucked away in the tangle of narrow streets of the historic Vegueta district. Closed to casual visitors for most of the year, it nonetheless stands as one of the most striking traces of the British presence on Gran Canaria — a place where stone gravestones, English-language inscriptions and a modest chapel create an atmosphere entirely different from the surrounding old-town architecture.

Why does an English cemetery exist on the Canary Islands?

In the early 19th century, Las Palmas grew into an important stop along trade routes linking Europe with colonial territories in Africa. Thanks to its strategic Atlantic location, the city attracted British merchants, shipowners and businessmen, who gradually formed a sizeable and influential community. The problem arose at the moment of death: local law did not permit non-Catholics to be buried in the same cemeteries as Catholics, leaving the British colony without a dignified place to lay their dead to rest.

When was the cemetery built?

The solution came in 1834, when a separate burial ground for the British community was established. The land was granted by the city council, while the construction costs were covered by the British authorities representing the community abroad — a sign of how seriously the needs of this group of residents were taken at the time. The cemetery was built on what was then the outskirts of Las Palmas, away from the city's built-up areas; as the city expanded over the following two centuries, the site ended up firmly within its historic centre.

Who is buried here?

The graves belong not only to British nationals but also to people of many other nationalities who settled in Las Palmas during the 19th and 20th centuries, drawn by maritime trade and the city's role as a transit port on intercontinental shipping lanes. In this sense, the cemetery is a quiet record of just how international a crossroads the Canary Islands once were — a resting place where the paths of people from very different corners of the world converged, with Gran Canaria becoming their final stop.

Why was the cemetery declared a heritage site?

In 2010, the English Cemetery was officially recognised as part of the island's cultural and historical heritage. The decision reflected the role British families played in the economic development of Gran Canaria from the early 19th century onward — many of those buried here were figures who contributed significantly to modernising local trade and port infrastructure.

Has the cemetery been restored?

Yes. After years of neglect, the site underwent a thorough restoration funded by the Canary Islands government, at a cost of around €91,000. The work culminated in a solemn re-hallowing ceremony held on 2 March 2012, ensuring that the historic gravestones and architecture would be preserved for future generations.

Can visitors tour the English Cemetery?

Given its nature, the cemetery is not a conventional tourist attraction open every day. The best-known opportunity to visit is All Saints' Day, 1 November, when the gates open to the public and visitors can step inside to see this unusual corner of Las Palmas up close.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery located? In the historic Vegueta district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, among the narrow streets of the old town.

Why was a separate cemetery built for the British? Because local law barred non-Catholics from being buried alongside Catholics, and the city's British community had grown large enough to need its own burial ground.

When is the best time to visit? Most easily on 1 November, All Saints' Day, when the cemetery opens its gates to the public.