Italian Chapel

Following the loss of H.M.S. Royal Oak in 1939, the then First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill ordered the building of a chain of barriers across the eastern approaches to Scapa Flow. The routes were already thought to be secured by a number of sunken ships but U-47 commanded by the famous U-Boat captain Günther Prien managed to successfully traverse in between the Mainland and Lamb Holm, sink the pride of the Home Fleet and successfully evade capture through Kirk Sound once more. The sinking was a propaganda coup for the Third Reich and highly embarrassing for the Royal Navy.

Although work began in May 1940, the barriers weren't completed until 1944 and the causeways officially opened 4 days after the end of the war. Over 1300 Italian prisoners of war, captured in the African desert campaign were use to construct the barriers. A group of 600 were housed on Lambs Holm in camp 60. In addition to constructing the barriers which stand today connecting the Mainland to Lambs Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay, they also constructed the most beautiful little chapel in two joined Nissen huts.

The Italian Chapel on Lambs Holm was the brainchild of camp commandant Major Thomas Pyres Buckland and Father Gioacchino Giacobazzi. Construction began in 1943 but too wasn't completed until after the war. Restorations were completed in the 1960's and 1990's.

The simple but elegant concrete facade gives the impression of a small chapel, effectively disguising both the shape and size of the building behind. The interior of the huts are in a word, exquisite. Hand painted on plasterboard, the 3D effect on flat the curved surface is amazing. Walking into the chapel you feel as if you are walking into an ornate tiled structure. Initially taken aback by the curved shape of the structure, the eye is quickly drawn to the alter at the end of the building. The painting of the Madonna with Child was created by Giacobazzi who remained behind on Orkney after the prisoners were released before the end of the war to complete the work. Both he, his family and home town of Moena in Italy have kept close ties to Orkney and the place he helped create. Sadly he died in 1999 but perhaps it was a blessing that he never lived to hear of the callous theft of three of his hand carved plaques representing the stations of the cross.

Returning to Kirkwall we had intended to go into St. Magnus Cathedral but there was a wedding on so we couldn't go. The alternative... Shopping! I received another lesson in the intriguing and mysterious logic of the female mind. A jumper and two rings were involved with a definite choice of two of the three required and yet all three were purchased by the end of the day! How does that work? To be fair, a £20 difference between shops and a further 20% discount played a part... Bargain, I'd say!

Our day continued with another get together with Freespiral, HappyValley, Himself and Porridge. We were taken to their special place, Happy Valley, a gorgeous planted bluebell wilderness off the beaten track. You should of course check out Gitama's entry for the stunning colours... A short drive into Stromness for dinner and all too soon it was time to say goodbye. Together with Houseonahill6 and Mr Houseonahill6, it's been lovely to catch up with another wonderful set of blippers. Lovely to meet you all.

We headed home to start the big pack but we were soon out once more, for one final visit to the Ring of Brodgar as the sun set over the horizon. It was a beautiful end to our last full day on Orkney.

Gitama's take on the day can be found here.