The Italian Chapel is located on the island of Lamb Holm in Orkney, Scotland. Its history is tied to the events of World War II and the Italian prisoners of war who were brought to Orkney during that time. In 1942, Italian POWs were sent to Orkney to work on the construction of the Churchill Barriers, a series of causeways designed to block access to Scapa Flow, a vital naval anchorage for the British fleet. About 550 Italian POWs were housed in a camp on Lamb Holm.

The Italian prisoners, many of whom were devout Catholics, requested a chapel where they could pray and attend Mass. The camp commandant granted permission, and work began in 1943. The chapel was constructed using limited resources. Two Nissen huts were joined end-to-end to form the structure. Domenico Chiocchetti, a prisoner with an artistic background, played a leading role in the chapel’s decoration. The interior was transformed with intricate hand-painted frescoes, giving the illusion of bricks, tiles, and religious icons.

When the war ended in 1945, the Italian POWs left Orkney, but the chapel remained. Over the years, it fell into disrepair. Domenico Chiocchetti returned to Orkney in the 1950s to help restore the chapel. His work, along with the efforts of local volunteers, ensured its preservation. The chapel is now maintained as a significant historical and cultural site.