The first phase of the new Nadur cemetery was opened and blessed by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech during a simple but poignant ceremony attended by a sizeable crowd of Nadur parishioners.
The outline permit for this long-awaited project was applied for in 2002 and the full development permit was issued in June 2007.
The cemetery contains around 600 graves, the last of which are currently being built.
Designed by architect Edward Scerri, the cemetery features a central circular subterranean chapel which is the focal point of all concentric graves.
The whole cemetery consists of seven landscaped and fully-accessible levels with the final upper level consisting of a garden with endemic plants.
The ceremony was also attended by Nadur archpriest Jimmy Xerri and the previous archpriest who started the project, Saviour Muscat.