One of the most remarkable communities in the world is Damanhur.
This eco-village, situated in Italy’s Piedmont region, is a community based upon spirituality. It is in the foothills of the Alps, about 50 km north of Turin. Its name comes from an ancient site in Egypt where there was a temple devoted to the god Horus.
Damanhur was founded by Oberto Airaudi and about two dozen of his followers in 1975. By the end of the century it had grown to 800. The community kept rather quiet until 1992 when word leaked out that they had secretly sculpted an elaborate underground complex, the Temples of Humankind. When Italian authorities found out about the temples, they ordered construction to be stopped until the necessary bureaucratic forms had been filed and approved.
Here are some of the parts of the temple complex:
The Hall of Water is dedicated to the Divine Feminine and is shaped like a chalice. It invites receptivity.
The Hall of Earth is a masculine construction, and it relates to past and future incarnations.
The Blue Hall, a place of inspiration and reflection is used for meditation.
The Hall of Labyrinths illustrates the various cultures and peoples of the world and how their various religious faiths are intertwined.
In the Hall of Metals, one can see representations of the progressive stages of development of humanity.
The Hall of Spheres invites communication and the creation of harmony between nations.
And finally, the Hall of Mirrors has four altars, dedicated to earth, water, fire and air.
Out above ground, Damanhur has labyrinthine walking paths in a natural forest setting, as well as various art installations.
Perhaps its most remarkable features are “selfic” devices, instruments created by the scientists and technicians at Damanhur that concentrate and conduct an intelligent and healing energy called Selfica. It is a form of modern-day alchemy.
Update: A proposed tour of Damanhur by Body Mind Spirit Journeys did not materialize.