Visitor FAQ

Damanhur is a federation of intentional communities located in the Valchiusella Valley in Piedmont, northern Italy. Founded in 1975 by philosopher and healer Oberto Airaudi (known as Falco), it is home to over 600 people organized in approximately 25 residential communities called nucleos. The community is internationally known for the Temples of Humankind — a vast underground complex hand-carved by community members — and for its pioneering research into plant communication, Selfic technology, and spiritual development. Damanhur has been recognized by the United Nations as a model of sustainable community living and has received numerous international awards for its social and artistic contributions.

No. This question comes up regularly and deserves a direct answer. Damanhur is an intentional community and federation — a democratic, pluralistic organization where members have full freedom to leave at any time, maintain contact with family and friends outside the community, work in the external world, and hold whatever beliefs they choose. Independent academic researchers (including from CESNUR, the Center for Studies on New Religions) have studied Damanhur extensively and consistently describe it as a new religious movement with clearly democratic governance structures, not as a cult. The community is registered as a recognized cultural and spiritual association under Italian law and operates with full transparency.

Absolutely not. Damanhur welcomes visitors of all faiths, philosophies, and worldviews — including skeptics and atheists. The community does not proselytize or pressure visitors to adopt any beliefs. You may visit purely for the extraordinary art, for curiosity about community life, for research, or simply for an interesting day out in one of Piedmont's most beautiful valleys. Your personal beliefs will be respected throughout your visit.

Damanhur began welcoming visitors in the mid-1980s, when news of the Temples first began to spread internationally. Since then, an estimated 700,000+ people have visited from every country in the world. The visitor experience has evolved significantly over the decades — from informal guided walks to the current structured programme of tours, workshops, and immersive stays — but the fundamental spirit of open, warm welcome has remained constant.

Temple tours are available in Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish. Many community members speak two or three of these languages, and English and Italian are understood by virtually everyone. For other languages, we can sometimes arrange informal interpretation — contact us in advance. All written materials at the visitor center are available in Italian, English, and French.

Very much so. Damanhur is a family community and genuinely enjoys welcoming children. The Temples of Humankind are particularly magical for children — many parents report that their children are the most openly moved members of the family during Temple visits. There are occasional dedicated activities for children, and the community's school may host visiting children for specific educational activities. Children under 6 are free for all visitor activities; children 6-12 receive a 50% discount on most visit fees. Please check with us about any age-specific restrictions on particular programme elements.

The Temples of Humankind were excavated and decorated by community members working in secret from 1978 until 1992, when Italian authorities discovered the work. The community had not sought permission to excavate because they feared — correctly, as initial legal proceedings confirmed — that permission would be denied. After a period of legal uncertainty, the Italian government eventually recognized the work's cultural and artistic significance and granted permission for its continuation. The Temples are still actively used and periodically expanded. The work of decoration continues to this day, with new artistic elements added regularly. Construction involved a team of approximately 70 core workers using tools as simple as hammers and chisels alongside modern excavation equipment for initial tunnel work.

The deepest halls of the Temples are approximately 30 meters below the surface of the hillside. The complex descends in stages, with different halls at different depths. The overall complex extends across approximately 8,500 square meters of floor area across nine interconnected halls. The temperature in the Temples remains constant year-round at approximately 15-17°C — please dress accordingly, as this can feel cool even in summer.

Photography is permitted in some areas of the Temples and restricted in others. Your guide will clearly indicate where photography is and is not allowed. Flash photography is prohibited throughout, as it damages certain artworks. Most visitors find that attempting to photograph every detail actually diminishes their experience — the Temples need to be felt as much as seen, and camera-mediated attention changes that quality of experience significantly. We encourage visitors to put their cameras away for at least part of the visit.

The Temples have a strong safety record built over thirty years of regular public visits. The underground spaces were professionally assessed for structural integrity, and the community maintains an ongoing programme of structural monitoring and maintenance. Emergency exits are clearly marked in all halls. The complex is equipped with a ventilation system. In over 700,000 visitor visits, there have been no structural incidents. We do ask that visitors with severe claustrophobia or other conditions that might be triggered by underground spaces discuss their needs with us before booking.

The Hall of Mirrors (Sala degli Specchi) is one of the most striking chambers in the Temples — a space lined with specially designed mirror surfaces that multiply and transform the visitor's reflection in unexpected ways. It was designed as a meditation space for exploring identity and self-perception. The mirror work is not simply reflective glass but a carefully engineered optical system that interacts with light in specific ways depending on the time of day and the position of the observer. It has been cited by visiting artists and architects as one of the most innovative uses of mirror in contemporary sacred space design.

The Federation of Damanhur has approximately 600 full residents organized across 25+ nucleos (residential communities). In addition, several hundred associated members live nearby or in other Italian cities while maintaining active participation in the community's life. Internationally, several thousand people maintain various levels of connection with the Damanhurian community through study groups, affiliated centres, and online participation.

Damanhur's economy is diverse and multi-layered. Income streams include: visitor programmes and Temple tours; community businesses in artisan crafts, Selfic jewelry, publishing, and food; agricultural production; educational programmes and workshops; individual members working in the external economy and contributing to the community; and licensing of community intellectual property including music and publications. The community operates as a mixed economy — some production and consumption is fully communal, while individuals also have personal resources within the broader collective framework.

Yes — and this is actively encouraged. Communal meals are particularly good opportunities for genuine conversation with residents. Community members are generally happy to talk about their lives, their reasons for joining, their work, and their experiences — though they will not engage in extended philosophical debates during working hours or respond to questions designed to test or challenge rather than genuinely understand. Approach community members with the same courtesy you would hope they would show you.

Completely and without restriction. Members of Damanhur are free to leave at any time, for any reason, with no consequences beyond the natural practical adjustments of transitioning from communal to individual life. The community has supported many departing members through these transitions. People who have left Damanhur are also free to return if they choose and circumstances allow. Damanhur's constitution explicitly protects the right of exit as a fundamental member right.

Damanhur offers an extensive programme of workshops, seminars, and courses throughout the year. Topics include: Damanhurian philosophy and spiritual practice; meditation and inner development; plant communication and music of plants experiences; Selfic technology; sustainable community building; organic farming and biodynamic gardening; traditional crafts including mosaics, glass art, and textile work; music and sound healing; past-life exploration; and various seasonal festival programmes. A full programme calendar is available on the website, updated quarterly.

Most introductory workshops require no prior experience. Some advanced programmes are designed for people who have already attended introductory sessions or have specific relevant backgrounds — these will be clearly indicated in the programme descriptions. If you are unsure whether a specific programme is appropriate for your current level of experience or knowledge, contact us and we will advise honestly.

The Work Exchange Programme allows visitors to stay at Damanhur for extended periods (typically 2-8 weeks) in exchange for contributing approximately 5-6 hours of community work per day. Work assignments depend on the community's current needs and the participant's skills and interests — and may include farming, building and maintenance, hospitality, administration, childcare support, or crafts. In return, participants receive accommodation, all meals, and full access to community life including Temple visits and participation in ceremonies. It is one of the most immersive ways to experience Damanhurian life. See our dedicated work exchange page for details.

The Valchiusella Valley has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Spring and autumn can be changeable. Always bring a layer regardless of season — the Temples maintain a cool 15-17°C year-round, and the valley's hillside setting means temperatures drop noticeably in the evening. Sturdy walking shoes are essential for the Sacred Wood and outdoor areas. In summer, sun protection is recommended for outdoor activities. In winter, waterproof boots and warm layers are advised. There is a small visitor shop at the welcome center selling Damanhur souvenirs, books, and basic visitor necessities.

WiFi is available in the visitor center and main common areas. It is intentionally not available in the Temple areas or during workshop sessions — the community encourages visitors to be present in these spaces rather than connected to devices. During extended stays, participants are asked to use WiFi thoughtfully and at appropriate times, respecting the community's preference for face-to-face connection over digital distraction.

The visitor center includes a small shop selling Damanhur publications, Selfic jewelry, art prints, and basic visitor necessities. Organic food products from community production are also available for purchase. The nearest supermarket is in Ivrea (25 km). There are a few small local shops in the valley villages but with limited selection and opening hours. Extended-stay visitors who need specific food items or personal products should bring them or purchase in Ivrea on arrival.

The community maintains first aid trained personnel at all times and a basic first aid kit is always available at the visitor center. The nearest hospital with full emergency facilities is Ivrea General Hospital (25 km, approximately 30 minutes). A pharmacy operates in Borgofranco d'Ivrea (15 km). The community has a tradition of complementary and alternative medicine alongside conventional medical practice. For serious medical conditions requiring regular medication or treatment, please inform us when booking so we can ensure appropriate facilities are available.

For standard Temple tours, we recommend booking at least 48-72 hours in advance. In summer (June-August) and during festival periods, one to two weeks advance booking is strongly recommended as these dates fill quickly. For extended programmes and residential stays, 2-4 weeks advance booking is usual, with some popular programmes booking out 2-3 months ahead. For large groups (10+ people), please contact us at least 6 weeks in advance to ensure appropriate staffing and facilities are available.

Standard cancellation policy: cancellations made more than 14 days before the visit receive a full refund. Cancellations 7-14 days before receive a 50% refund. Cancellations less than 7 days before the visit are non-refundable but may be converted to a credit for a future visit within 12 months. In cases of genuine medical emergency or exceptional circumstance, we apply these policies with discretion — please contact us directly. We always try to find a solution that works for everyone.

We accept payment by bank transfer (SEPA and international wire), major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), and cash (euros only) on arrival for pre-confirmed bookings. Online booking requests are confirmed by email without immediate payment for most visit types; payment is made on arrival or by bank transfer in advance for extended programmes. For group bookings over €500, advance payment of 30% is required to hold the reservation.

Yes, subject to availability. Please notify us as early as possible if you need to reschedule, and we will do our best to accommodate your preferred new date. There is no fee for rescheduling if notification is given at least 72 hours before the original visit date. Last-minute rescheduling (less than 72 hours) is treated as a cancellation for payment purposes, though we will always try to find availability on an alternative date.