With tiny, delicate touches of her paintbrush, Antonella Papa painstakingly works on a small section of artwork in Orkney’s Italian Chapel.
A professional art restorer from Rome who has worked in the Sistine Chapel, Antonella has been visiting the Chapel with the tools of her trade since 2015, helping restore this special wartime site and protect it from the Orcadian elements.
“When I first visited it was a very emotional moment for me,” says Antonella. “I was already in love with Orkney’s landscape and nature, but then I discovered this little corner of Italy and I was so moved by the story.”
Found on the uninhabited Lamb Holm, the Italian Chapel was built by Prisoners of War from the country who were interned in Orkney to help construct the Churchill Barriers, the giant concrete causeways aimed at protecting the great naval anchorage of Scapa Flow from enemy attack.
The prisoners, led by Domenico Chiocchetti, transformed two simple Nissen huts into a place of worship and a small reminder of home for all the men of Camp 60. Materials from the camp were scavenged and re-purposed, turned into metal screens and candle holders, and Chiocchetti himself hand-painted the walls of the huts to resemble bricks, adorned with beautiful artwork.
These days the Chapel is a poignant reminder of Orkney’s wartime past, as well as a monument to the talent, creativity, and commitment of the men who built it. The building, however, wasn’t built to last until the 21st century, and has been cared for by local folk and the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee. It needs constant time and attention, two things Antonella is more than happy to provide.
“When I come in here it’s like I can see Domenico and his team at work. They did something amazing and they were real artists,” she says. “But because of my work I can see a lot of damage and deterioration, so I’m proud to use my own skill to help restore the artwork here.”
Antonella has visited a number of times over the last decade, bringing with her tiny pots of paint and boxes of brushes. Her work involves inspecting the walls of the Chapel and picking up on patches of damp or tiny imperfections, touching them up as she goes. The fabric of the building is incredibly fragile, but thanks to more than three decades of experience, Antonella works quietly and confidently, respecting the original artwork and protecting it for future generations.
“Orkney is a place I love and I just want to help preserve the Chapel,” she says.
“It’s a link between the islands and Italy, the past and the present, and connects people rather than dividing them. The message of a place like this is more important today than it has ever been.”
The Italian Chapel is open to visitors throughout the year:
- November - March open 1000 - 1300 every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day
- April and October open 1000 - 1600 every day
- May and September open 0900 - 1700 every day
- June, July and August open 0900 - 1730 every day
Admission is £4 per person, with free entry to those 12 and under, tour guides & drivers. Advanced booking is essential for larger groups.