The amazing Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, built from huts by prisoners on Orkney Islands of Scotland

The Italian Chapel on the Island of Lamb Holm, part of the Orkney Islands of Scotland. The chapel consists of two Nissen huts, transformed into a beautiful Catholic chapel by Domenico Chiocchetti and his colleagues, Italian prisoners of war captured in North Africa and transported to the Island of Lamb Holm in Orkney to build the 'Churchill Barriers' at Scapa Flow.
A shortage of manpower to construct the barriers coincided with the capture of thousands of Italian soldiers, so 550 captured soldiers were transported to Camp 60 on Lamb Holm and a similar number to Camp 34 on Burray.
Following a request from the camp priest, Fr Giacobazzi, it was agreed that two Nissen huts would be joined together to provide a chapel. Among the Italians in Camp 60 was an artist, Domenico Chiocchetti, and he was given the task of transforming the two Nissen huts into a chapel. He was assisted by other tradesmen - in particular Giuseppe Palumbi, a blacksmith, and Domenico Buttapasta, a cement worker, who carried a small prayer card with the image of the Madonna and Child by Nicolo Barabino, which he used for the painting above the altar in the Chapel. There are no tiles or special materials used in the construction, the Italian prisoners created the effects in paint and plaster, using food tins and for the lights and some decorations.
Now, decades after the completion of the Chapel, it is one of Orkney's most loved attractions, with over 100,000 visitors every year.

[@pati61ful]

The effort put into creating that structure gives all of us hope: it makes us understand how we can strive for beauty, peace and reconciliation in the darkest of times. Greetings from Italy, love to you all

[@lauraclayton414]

When I was a student I went there it’s absolutely beautiful I feel truly honoured I got to go and see it

[@lucianapennelli8514]

I do hope someone will make afilm about this moving story,the setting would be wonderful.may god bless all those who contributed to create this beautiful place. Greetings from italy

[@DianaKazimiera-]

This is great history...this is amazing place... Great respect 🕊️

[@Barbassoblues]

Beautiful!!! Even the music very appropriateed

[@emanuelerossi7610]

Grazie from Italia

[@bonjour4196]

Ciao Emanuele, che storia!

[@ΒασιλικήΤουρατζίδου]

And thank you from the UK to Italy for leaving us such beauty.

[@gouldamadine4614]

Sehr sehr schön,danke!!!

[@MrDan957]

Magnificent 🙏🏻❤️

[@branc2658]

Everything Italian is beautiful.

[@deannewasleske6230]

Thank you for this lovely view of the chapel. What is the beautiful background music?

[@yuosefyusef7430]

Very very Beautiful My Dream is I Travel and leaving in Italian ..

[@ΒασιλικήΤουρατζίδου]

Just Wow! Heartening that, even in the middle of an all-out world war, civilized behaviour can still shine through.

[@katerinakemp5701]

Beautiful interior marvellous🥰is it used for services no pews.

[@bonjour4196]

Wonderful and interesting! I discover that Italians were in this region... And after, they returned to their country?

[@ospreybird]

:-)

[@bensofficialvlogsreactionc2724]

No this you and I need bagpipes videos ok right do it

[@BraemarMedia]

More bagpipe videos will come Ben.

[@bensofficialvlogsreactionc2724]

@@BraemarMedia you not doing it you big big Trouble