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Book Your Temple Visit

Your Journey Begins Here

Book your guided tour of the Temples of Humankind — the largest underground temple complex in the world, carved by hand in the mountains of northern Italy

Experience One of the World's Great Wonders

The Temples of Humankind receive visitors year-round by reservation. All visits are guided — no independent exploration is permitted — and tours are available in English, Italian, and German.

A visit to the Temples of Humankind is a genuinely extraordinary experience. Nothing in the published photographs, documentary films, or written descriptions fully prepares the first-time visitor for the reality of descending into the mountain and finding themselves surrounded by one of the most ambitious and beautiful examples of collective sacred art created in the twentieth century.

All visits are conducted as guided tours led by trained Damanhurian community guides. Guides are available in English, Italian, and German; other languages may be available on specific dates by arrangement. Walk-in visits are not guaranteed and are not recommended — advance reservation is strongly advised, particularly during the summer season and around the major festival dates.

Tour options range from the Classic 2-Hall Visit (approximately 90 minutes) to the comprehensive One-Day Visit (eight hours, including the Sacred Woods and a communal lunch). Specialist tours focusing on art history, sacred architecture, or specific aspects of Damanhurian life are also available. Group, school, and private tour arrangements can be made through the booking office.

The Temples are accessible year-round, including during the winter months when the mountain above is often snow-covered. The underground temperature remains constant at approximately 16°C regardless of season — visitors are advised to bring a light jacket or layer even in summer. Photography is restricted in certain areas; guides will advise on the specific rules for each section of the tour.

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Year-Round Access
The Temples are open to guided visits throughout the year, including during winter months when the mountain landscape creates an additional layer of atmosphere. Christmas, Easter, and summer holiday periods are particularly popular — book well in advance.
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Underground Climate
A constant 16°C year-round underground. Comfortable walking shoes are essential; light layers are recommended even in summer. The Temples involve stairs and some uneven surfaces — standard mobility requirements apply.
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Languages Available
Guided tours in English, Italian, and German are available on most dates. Tours in French and other languages can be arranged for groups with sufficient notice. Audio guide materials are under development.

Choose Your Temple Experience

From a focused two-hall introduction to an immersive full-day exploration, we offer visit options to suit different interests, time constraints, and budgets.

Classic Visit
€28
Approximately 90 minutes · 2 halls
  • Hall of Water
  • Hall of Spheres
  • Expert community guide
  • English, Italian or German
  • Welcome Centre access
Book Classic Visit
One-Day Visit
€140
Full day · All 7 halls + Sacred Woods
  • Complete Temples tour (all 7 halls)
  • Sacred Woods walk & stone circuits
  • Music of the Plants demonstration
  • Communal lunch with community members
  • Historic capital of Damjl tour
  • Full-day dedicated guide
Book One-Day Visit

Group rates: Groups of 10+ receive a 15% discount on all ticket types. Groups of 25+ receive a 20% discount. School groups qualify for special educational rates — contact the booking office for details. Private group tours can be arranged for parties of any size at agreed rates.

Concessions: Children under 6 are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children 6–14 receive a 50% discount. Students with valid student ID and over-65s receive a 10% discount on the Classic and Four-Hall Visit tickets.

Everything You Need for a Perfect Visit

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Expert Guided Commentary
All Damanhurian guides are trained community members who have lived alongside the Temples for years. Their personal knowledge of the community's history, art, and philosophy gives Temple tours a depth unavailable from external tour operators.
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Interpretive Support
The Classic and Four-Hall visits include interpretive booklets available in multiple languages. The One-Day Visit includes a comprehensive printed guide to take home as a lasting record of the experience.
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Welcome Centre Facilities
All ticket types include access to the Welcome Centre at Via Baldissero 21, Vidracco — with café, bookshop, Selfica and community product shop, and exhibition spaces providing context for the Temple visit.
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Sacred Woods (One-Day)
The One-Day Visit includes a guided walk through the Sacred Woods above the Temples — including the stone circuits, the Music of the Plants demonstration site, and the ancient trees that form the "antennas" of the Temple complex.

Booking Your Visit

Advance booking is strongly recommended. Online booking is available year-round; walk-in visitors are accommodated only when guide capacity permits, which cannot be guaranteed.

The primary booking route is via thetemples.org, the official booking platform for all Temple visits. Bookings can be made up to six months in advance; a minimum 48-hour lead time applies for most visits. Payment is accepted by card at the time of booking; a 10% deposit secures the reservation.

Cancellation policy: free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour. Cancellations within 48 hours and more than 24 hours before the tour receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 24 hours of the tour start time are non-refundable. In the event that the community must cancel a tour (rare but possible due to community events), a full refund or alternative date will be offered.

Group bookings of 10 or more require contact through the booking office at welcome@dhwelcome.org. Specialist tours — including art history, sacred architecture, and community life focus tours — require advance booking of at least two weeks and are subject to availability of appropriately specialised guides.

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Online Booking
Visit thetemples.org to check availability and book your visit. Online booking is the fastest, most reliable booking method and is available 24 hours a day. Confirmation arrives by email within 24 hours.
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Phone Booking
Telephone booking is available through the Welcome Centre during opening hours (Monday–Saturday 9:00–18:00, Italian time). Phone booking is particularly recommended for complex group or specialist tour arrangements.
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Email Enquiries
Email welcome@dhwelcome.org for group bookings, specialist tours, accessibility requirements, or any enquiry not covered by the standard online booking system. Responses within two working days.

Finding Damanhur

Damanhur is located in the Valchiusella valley in the Canavese district of Piedmont, approximately 50 kilometres north of Turin. The address for the Welcome Centre and Temple visit reception is Via Baldissero 21, 10080 Vidracco TO, Italy.

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By Car
From Turin, take the A5 autostrada toward Aosta, exit at Pont-Saint-Martin and follow signs toward Vidracco via Ivrea. Journey time approximately 55 minutes from Turin city centre. Parking is available at the Welcome Centre. GPS coordinates: 45.5108° N, 7.7912° E.
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By Train
Take the train from Turin Porta Nuova to Ivrea (approximately 40 minutes; frequent services). From Ivrea, local bus or taxi service to Vidracco (approximately 20 minutes). The community can arrange transport from Ivrea station for groups with advance notice.
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By Air
The nearest international airport is Turin Caselle (TRN), approximately 65 kilometres from Damanhur. Car hire is available at the airport. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is approximately 120 kilometres away — both airports have good links to Turin for those not hiring a car.
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Staying Overnight
The Abaton is Damanhur's on-site accommodation, located beside the Temples and offering a unique opportunity to stay within the community. Additional accommodation is available in nearby Ivrea and the surrounding valley villages.

Preparing for Your Visit

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Appropriate Footwear
Comfortable, flat-soled shoes with good grip are essential. The Temples involve stairs, uneven surfaces, and some areas where the floor may be slightly damp. High heels and open-toed sandals are not recommended.
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Dress in Layers
The underground temperature is 16°C year-round. Bring a light jacket or fleece. The Sacred Woods portion of the One-Day Visit is outdoors — dress appropriately for outdoor conditions if participating.
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Photography Rules
Photography is permitted in designated areas. Flash photography is prohibited throughout. Some ceremonial spaces are no-camera zones; guides will advise. The community requests that visitors respect these restrictions, which exist to protect both the artwork and the sacred character of the space.
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Respectful Conduct
The Temples are an actively used sacred space. Visitors are asked to maintain respectful behaviour throughout — quiet voices, attentive listening to guides, and sensitivity to the fact that for community members, this is not a tourist attraction but a place of genuine spiritual life.

Common Visitor Questions

Is the Classic Visit sufficient for a first-time visitor?
The Classic Visit provides a genuine introduction to the Temples and is appropriate for visitors with limited time. However, the Four-Hall Visit or One-Day Visit offer a much more complete experience and are recommended for anyone making a special journey to Damanhur.
Are the Temples accessible to visitors with mobility impairments?
The Temples involve stairs and some uneven surfaces. Wheelchair access is limited and cannot be guaranteed in all areas. Please contact the booking office in advance to discuss your specific requirements — the team will advise on what is accessible and can make appropriate arrangements.
Can I visit the Temples independently, without a guide?
No. All visits to the Temples are conducted as guided tours. Independent exploration of the Temples is not permitted at any time. This policy exists both for visitor safety (the complex is extensive and some areas are restricted) and to ensure that visitors receive appropriate context for what they are seeing.
What if I arrive without a reservation?
Walk-in visitors are accommodated on a space-available basis when guide capacity permits. This cannot be guaranteed, particularly during summer and around festival dates. The walk-in wait can be several hours on busy days. Pre-booking is strongly advised.
Are children welcome?
Children are welcome at the Temples. Children over 6 can participate in all standard tours. For younger children, the Classic Visit is recommended as it involves less time underground. Children under 6 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
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