The Italian Chapel Orkney Islands Scotland Postcard

This postcard features The Italian Chapel in the Orkney Islands in Scotland. According to Philip Paris of The Guardian, "The chapel had been built by Italian prisoners of war, who were transported from the heat of the North African desert for the freezing cold of an Orkney winter at the beginning of 1942. Around 500 were sent to Camp 60 on the tiny island of Lamb Holm in order to work on the famous Churchill Barriers, sealing the eastern entrances to Scapa Flow, harbour of the British Home Fleet. Building the chapel became the Italians' escape to cultural and spiritual freedom while their bodies remained in captivity. Former enemies became friends. The chapel was completed in late summer 1944 and on 9 September, everyone in Camp 60 was moved. After the war, the demolition team sent to take down the camp refused to touch the converted Nissen hut, with its lanterns made from bully beef tins, and it was left alone in the field." Enjoy your new The Italian Chapel Orkney Islands Scotland Postcard!