Italian Chapel

The Italian Chapel is a Roman Catholic church building on the Scottish Orkney island of Lamb Holm. In 1987, the building was added to the Scottish lists of monuments in the highest category A.

History

In the so-called Camp 60 Italian prisoners of war were interned on Lamb Holm to participate in the labor input in the construction of the Churchill Barriers during the Second World War. For designing the dreary landscape on the small island, the prisoners created a statue of Saint George, the dragon slayer. Powered by an Italian priest and with the permission of the camp commanders began in 1942 the construction work to a chapel. Domenico Chiocchetti initiated in 1944 completed work. After the camp was closed, the building remained unused and his condition worsened. 1958 Chiocchetti was located in Moena and invited to restoration in collaboration with local craftsmen in 1960 on the Orkney Islands. His home church was donated in 1961 the Jesus figure to the right of the entrance. Chiocchettis wife Mary donated during a visit in 1964 14 carved-wood panels with the Stations of the Cross. 1992, 50 years after construction began, the former prisoners held a joint exhibition in the chapel from.

Description

The chapel is located on the north coast of the island near the causeway between Mainland and Lamb Holm, the first phase of construction of the Churchill Barriers. It consists of two joined Nissen huts with a curtain wall facade. Doric columns support the pediment. In the bell is suspended, which is surrounded by a cast-iron balustrade. A cast-iron Keltenkzeuz adorns the gable. On either side of the entrance are arranged lancet windows.