The Italian Chapel
The Italian Chapel is one of Orkney’s most popular attractions. Its unique architecture is steeped in history, and the story of how it came to be endures to this day, and in the details of the building itself.
It’s a stunning building, both inside and out, and for me it’s a really special place because of what it represents, and how it brings the story of the prisoners of war to life so that we can’t forget them.
Read on to find out:
- The history of the Italian chapel Orkney
- Why it’s significant
- Where it is and how to get there
- How it’s inspired my work
History of the Italian Chapel
The Italian Chapel was built in World War 2 by prisoners of war who had been taken to Orkney in 1942. They were brought here to help build the Churchill barriers, a series of causeways to link the southern Orkney islands and block ships from entering Scapa Flow from the east.
550 men were stationed at camp 60 on the uninhabited island of Lamb Holm, with some stationed on the nearby island of Burray.
The hardship and isolation of their lives during this time started to improve in 1943 after the appointment of the camp’s new commandment Major Thomas Pyres Buckland and the camp priest – Father Gioacchino Giacobazzi.
They agreed that a suitable place of worship should be built, and two Nissan huts were joined together to become a chapel on one end, and a school on the other.
Domenico Chiocchetti was an artist among the Italian prisoners of war, and he was tasked with designing the interior of the Italian Chapel and bringing it to life. He was assisted by other hard-working tradesmen, like the blacksmith Giuseppe Palumbi, and Domenico Buttapasta, who was a cement worker.
The image of Madonna and Child by Nicolo Barabino inspired the painting Chiocchetti created above the altar in the chapel, which came from a prayer card he carried with him, given to him by his mother. After seeing the artist’s talents, the camp commander was happy for him to continue his work in making the chapel a beautiful place to be.
The Italian Chapel in Orkney Today
Building the Italian Chapel on the isolated island of Lamb Holm gave the prisoners of war a place of peace and hope in a time of worry and fear.
The work that went into creating it gave them something positive to channel their time and energy into. Once it was complete, these men had a place they could go to feel safe and secure, and to pray for their families back home.
Many decades later, there’s still a fond connection between Orkney and Chiocchetti’s hometown of Moena in Italy. His daughter is the Honorary President of the Friends of the Italian Chapel Committee, and family members still visit the chapel on occasion.
The legacy of these prisoners of war endures in the Italian Chapel, and it’s a mark of how they made the best out of the situation they were in by using what they had available to them.
Now, it draws many visitors year after year, with a team of Custodians to look after it, and manage the flow of visitors.
How to Visit the Italian Chapel
The Italian Chapel is based on the island of Lamb Holm, across the first Churchill barrier (and just over from the Barrier View Cafe).
This is a causeway you can drive over, and the chapel is open all throughout the year, apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The opening times vary by month and season:
- November- March: 10:00- 13:00 (closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day)
- April: 10:00- 16:00
- May: 09:00- 17:00
- June- August: 09:00- 17:30
- September: 09:00- 17:00
- October: 10:00- 16:00
Parking is available at the chapel, but you can also get there by bus on the X1 route towards St Margaret’s Hope.
Admittance is £4 per person, and under 12s go free. Big groups should book in advance to make sure they can be accommodated.
As always, times and prices might change, so always best to review with the Italian Chapel directly.
Inspired Collections
The beauty of the Italian Chapel and all it represents has inspired two of my own jewellery collections.
Its location on Lamb Holm is just across the water from my workshop, so it’s a familiar view and one that would be impossible not to be inspired by!
The Italian Chapel Collection features a wide range of pieces with the iconic shape of the building repeating around each piece. From pendants to rings and cufflinks, there’s something for everyone who wants to carry a sense of peace and endurance with them.
The Heart of the Chapel is inspired by one iconic aspect of the chapel’s design, and the heartbreak that created it. The story goes that an Italian prisoner of war fell in love with an Orcadian woman but as he had a wife back home, their love couldn't last.
Heartbroken, he set a metal heart into the chapel stone floor as a symbol of his love before he returned home.
So there you have, when you are in Orkney, don't forget to be inspired by the Italian Chapel.