The Italian Chapel
Who said Nissan huts were boring?
Nissan huts are almost ubiquitous on the Orkney Islands as a result of the Orkney’s place in war history. One of the more unusual uses of Nissan Huts on the Orkney islands is The Italian Chapel.
Cement Blocks – Churchill Barriers
Located on Lamb Holm in the Orkney Islands, The Italian Chapel was built by Italian prisoners of war during WW2. The prisoners were moved from the heat of North Africa to the chilly Orkney Islands, primary to build the Churchill Barriers and are responsible for The Italian Chapel.
The Churchill Barriers were built to protect the Scapa Flow anchorage, following the sinking of HMS Royal Oak by a German U-Boat in late 1939. The Churchill Barriers link Orkney Mainland to South Ronaldsay via Burray , Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm. The Churchill Barriers link Orkney Mainland to South Ronaldsay via Burray, Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm. While the Churchill Barriers are interesting and might make the subject of a post in the future this post is about The Italian Chapel.
View of the Churchill Barriers from the air Source: https://www.visitorkney.com/things/history/the-italian-chapel