Orkney Italian Chapel, Miracle at Camp 60

Traveling historic Scotland is like an ode to war, where each mound, church, castle, field and waterway has layers of tales of conflict. Sometimes territorial, often religious, familial or political disputes, it is difficult find evidence of peace.

Here is a war story, not one of strife and destruction, but one where beauty was born during the circumstance of war.

The Orkney Islands have strategic water passages to reach the northern European seas. The time is the latter years of WW II. The site is Lambholm, Orkney where Italian prisoners captured from the North African campaign worked on the largest engineering operation of the war, the Churchill barriers – concrete block causeways to seal the eastern approaches of Skapa Flow from ship and submarine attack.

This where the Miracle of Camp 60 was born as a symbol of goodwill from the commandant, the pastor and an artist named Chiochetti. The 1400 Italian prisoners built community in this cold, foreign place. Concrete experts, they wanted to create a chapel. The idea met with approval. In their spare time, sixty constructed a masterpiece out of recycled material in two nissen (kwansit) huts sitting back to back.

The concrete front facade is based on a replica of a chapel in Italy. It is already an impressive landmark in the sparse island field, but upon entering the door you are filled with wonder. What at first appears to be curved walls and ceilings covered in detailed tile work and murals is really intricate painting of tiles, facades and tromp l’oeil effects in muted pastels.

The baptismal font and communion kneeling rails are all decorated concrete. There is delicate ironwork fencing and a wooden altar all salvaged or created by the prisoners.

I heard a story that one prisoner already married to an Italian fell into an unrequited love relationship. When departing, he told her that he had left a surprise for her inside. It is found in the floor area at the entrance to the altar area.

When POW’s left the island on September 9,1944 there was a promise given that Orcadians would cherish the chapel by the Lord Lieutenant of Orkney. Much interest in the Italian Chapel led to restoration in 1960 by the artist Chiochetti who was invited back to work. “The chapel is yours to love and preserve. I take with me to Italy the remembrance of your kindness and wonderful hospitality.”