Founded in 1975, the Federation of Damanhur numbers 1,000 citizens and is located in Valchiusella, in the foothills of Piedmont, only 40 minutes from Turin airport in Italy. Damanhur is renowned for its underground Temples, created entirely by hand and decorated with mosaic, sculpture, painting, glass and metalwork. The Halls of Water, of the Earth, of the Spheres, of Mirrors, of Metals, the Blue Temple, the Labyrinth: the Temples of Humankind are a three-dimensional book, that tell the story of humankind through art and beauty.I quote "Awarded by the United Nations as a model for a sustainable future, Damanhur is an eco-society based upon ethical and spiritual values. Damanhur promotes a culture of peace and balanced development through solidarity, voluntary work, respect for the environment, art and social and political commitment.
Damanhur was born of a dream. A dream of a society based on optimism and the idea that human beings can be the masters of their own destiny, without having to depend on outside forces."
"This was the vision of Oberto Airaudi when, together with a group of fellow researchers he founded the spiritual, human and social experience of Damanhur. Today, in accordance with the Damanhurian custom of taking animal names, Oberto Airaudi uses the name 'Falco' (Falcon)."
I am getting so lost and goose-fleshed that you'd better go on here: The Temples of Humankind. Beware! Remember the words Dante and Virgil read as they passed through the gates of Hell: "Abandon every hope, Ye that Enter." Hmm sorry I was just kidding.