Italian Chapel

The Italian Chapel consists of two connected Nissen huts converted into a small house of worship, with hand-painted frescoes and detailed decorations inside. The plain corrugated-iron sheds appear modest from outside, while the interior surprises with painted plasterboard walls and liturgical elements.

Italian prisoners of war captured in North Africa built the chapel in 1943 while working on the Churchill Barriers. Domenico Chiocchetti led the artistic work and returned after the war to carry out restoration efforts.

The altar displays a Madonna and Child painting inspired by a prayer card that Domenico Chiocchetti carried from his mother in Italy. Visitors can study the fine paintings and frescoes created on simple plasterboard walls.

The chapel opens daily and allows visitors to view the interior at their own pace. Catholic masses take place on the first Sunday of each month from April through September.

Light fixtures made from old corned beef tins hang from the ceiling and testify to the ingenuity of the prisoners. The baptismal font consists of a car exhaust pipe covered with concrete.

Location: Orkney Islands

Location: Holm

Inception: 1945

Creator: Domenico Chiocchetti

GPS coordinates: 58.88990,-2.88956

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28