At the end of the 18th century, public authorities were required to establish cemeteries outside the city walls. The city council of Bruges purchased a piece of land from a nearby abbey for this purpose. The first burial took place here in 1787.

Right from the start, the cemetery has a geometric layout with main avenues and crossroads. The grounds are accessible from the west side via a gatehouse containing the residence of the chaplain and the gravedigger. The central walkway begins here, ending at the Calvary cross. The graves are arranged in a strict order, with the highest class situated around the Calvary.

Over the years, the cemetery had to expand several times. After World War I, it reached its current surface area of 12 hectares. In addition to the sections reserved for war victims, there are also large parts reserved for the various religious orders. There is even a plot for the 'non-believers'. Furthermore, there is a beautiful Neo-Gothic chapel with a crypt for the canons and bishops. At the initiative of a committee for the protection of funerary heritage, a 'lapidarium' was established. Valuable grave monuments are preserved here.

The cemetery is still in use. Therefore, it does not fall under the narrow definition of urban exploring. Nevertheless, it is particularly popular among urban explorers, primarily because of the grave with the ‘skull’. It is to this single grave that the location owes its name.