The Italian Chapel

WEDNESDAY

We spent most of the day exploring South Ronaldsay stopping off at various beaches and tea rooms en route. 

I was amazed by the enormity and historical significance of Scapa Flow which provided strategic harbourage for the British fleet during both World Wars.

We visited the Bronze Age Settlement (Burnt Mount) and the Tomb of the Eagles which was like a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Today's blip is the Italian Chapel which was built by Italian POWs during WW2. It's made from a couple of Nissen huts joined end-to-end. The corrugated interior was hidden by with plasterboard. The tabernacle is made from wood obtained from a wrecked ship. The altar was made from concrete. Scrap metal was used – two candelabra were forged from iron and two were forged from brass. The light holders were made out of corned beef tins (interior shot -see extra).