A restoration artist who worked on the Sistine Chapel in Rome is coming to Orkney next month to keep one of the islands’ main tourist attractions in perfect condition.
The Italian Chapel is showing wear and tear from another invasion of tourists, fuelled by a rise in cruise ship day trippers.
The iconic Roman Catholic chapel is a prime example of Orkney’s tourism success. Between March to September, 77,917 people walked through its doors.
Painted by Italian prisoner-of-war Domenico Chiocchetti, the artist had made return visits to the chapel after the war to restore parts of his work.
But since his death in 1999, the interior artwork had remained untouched until professional art restorer Antonella Papa, from Rome, offered her services to restore the frescos.
As a visitor to the islands she says she was moved by the story behind the chapel’s creation. Ms Papa is to spend part of November working on the chapel’s interior – the third year she has done so.
The chapel was built by Italian prisoners-of-war during World War II, using scrap metal and leftover concrete to create a place of worship. Two Nissen huts were transformed into a basilica-style space with images of angels and the Virgin Mary under the title Regina Pacis – Queen of Peace.
Chairman of the Italian Chapel preservation committee Andrew Drever said it was a “wonderful and generous” opportunity to have someone with Ms Papa’s skills.
He added: “We used to get three bus-loads turning up at once, so we had to restrict the numbers to more sustainable numbers.
“But there is still the usual wear and tear to the chapel. It is a continuous process so we are very grateful for Antonella’s help. To employ an artist of her skills would be a big expense but she has such a love of the chapel she does it as a volunteer.”
Ms Papa will also be passing on her skills to local teacher Morag Ewing during her visit. The Italian honed her restoration talents while working on the Sistine Chapel and other Vatican treasures.