The community has its own constitution, schools, businesses, organic supermarkets, vineyards, farms, daily newspaper and even their own currency, the Credito.
The Federation has centers in other European countries, America and Japan. This United Nations award-winning sustainable community, is an eco-society based upon artistic, ethical and spiritual values.
Damanhur was founded by a man with extraordinary vision, Oberto Airaudi in early 1970's. He and his followers became known to the world in 1992 through the disclosure of the Temples of Humankind. The secret of the underground rock excavation was kept for nearly 15 years. The local Italian authorities threatened to destroy the secret chambers because it had been constructed without permission but revoke the order after visiting the Temples. Their work has been acknowledged by the government as an Italian national treasure.
The Temples occupy almost 300,000 cubic feet, have seven chambers so far (the complex is only 10% of the planned final size) and are linked by hundreds of metres of tunnels. Damanhurians say they are constructed like a three-dimensional book, narrating the history of humankind and the human itself. Many have called them ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World’ as it is one of the largest temple complexes in the world.
The aim of Damanhur community is to reach for the full human potential effectively by working on many projects at the same time. You need to know yourself first and then to know your dreams. If you cannot bring them to reality, you are not free, says Damanhurian philosophy.
Damanhurians built the Temples themselves with their own hands with no formal architectural and building training. If it is possible for us then it is possible for you - this is the main message that comes out of the Federation. They strongly recommend a practical approach to spirituality.
Damanhur is named after the Egyptian city and its subterranean temple, meaning City of Light. Fascination of the ancient wisdom and culture is clearly visible there. Damanhurian art is full of symbolic meanings.
They have a program for people who want to become full time citizens of the Federation. For more information visit their website: www.damanhur.org
Images: Damanhur Federation
