Getting to
Damanhur
Damanhur is located in the beautiful Valchiusella Valley in Piedmont, northern Italy — accessible by car, train, and plane with detailed directions for every mode of travel.
Location Overview
Damanhur is situated in the Valchiusella Valley in the Canavese district of Piedmont — one of northern Italy's most beautiful and least touristy alpine valleys, nestled between the Po Plain and the foothills of the Alps.
Valchiusella Valley, Piedmont
The Valchiusella Valley runs north from Ivrea into the pre-Alpine foothills, reaching an elevation of approximately 400-800 meters above sea level. The valley is formed by the Chiusella river and is characterized by wooded hillsides, small villages with medieval stone buildings, and a palpable sense of being apart from the frenetic pace of modern Italian life.
Damanhur's various communities are distributed across several villages in the valley — primarily Baldissero Canavese (the main visitor center), Vidracco (location of the Temples), and Damanhur Crea (arts center). Your booking confirmation will specify which location to navigate to for your visit.
- 40 km northeast of Turin (approximately 45 minutes by car)
- 25 km from Ivrea (30 minutes by car)
- 85 km from Milan (approximately 80 minutes by motorway)
- 60 km from Turin Caselle International Airport
- GPS coordinates: 45.5134° N, 7.7842° E (main visitor center)
The Address
Main Visitor Center:
Damanhur — Centro Ospiti
Via Pramarzo 3
10080 Baldissero Canavese (TO)
Piedmont, Italy
Temple of Humankind Entrance:
Loc. Baldissero
10080 Vidracco (TO)
Piedmont, Italy
Contact for directions:
+39 0125 24848
info@damanhur.org
Note: GPS navigation to the valley is generally reliable, but mobile signal can be intermittent in some areas. Download offline maps before departure.
By Car from Turin
Driving is the most flexible way to reach Damanhur, allowing you to arrive at your own pace and giving you mobility in the valley. The drive from Turin through the Canavese countryside is itself a pleasure — an excellent introduction to the Piedmontese landscape that surrounds the community.
From Turin City Center
Approximately 45-55 minutes · 52 kmFrom Turin city center, take the A5 motorway (Autostrada Torino-Aosta) heading northeast toward Ivrea and Aosta.
Continue on the A5 for approximately 35 km to the Ivrea exit. Pay the toll at the barrier (approximately €3.50 from Turin center).
At the roundabout after the toll, take the SS26 toward Biella and Strambino, then almost immediately turn right toward Valchiusella / Traversella.
Follow the SP80 up into the Valchiusella Valley. After approximately 12 km, you will reach Baldissero Canavese. Follow signs for "Damanhur" or "Tempio dell'Umanità."
The visitor center is signposted from the village center. Turn on Via Pramarzo and follow to the community welcome area.
From Milan
Approximately 80-90 minutes · 120 kmFrom Milan, take the A4 motorway (Autostrada dei Laghi) heading west toward Turin. This is one of Italy's busiest motorways — allow extra time during peak hours.
At the Chivasso Est junction, join the A5 motorway toward Ivrea and Aosta. This avoids passing through the Turin ring road.
Continue on the A5 to the Ivrea exit and follow directions as for Turin (steps 3-5 above).
Total distance from Milan: approximately 120 km. Total tolls: approximately €12-15.
By Train
Train travel is an excellent option for reaching Damanhur, particularly from Turin. Ivrea is the nearest main-line railway station, well-connected by regular Trenitalia services. From Ivrea, a taxi or shuttle completes the journey into the valley.
From Turin Porta Nuova to Ivrea
50-65 minutes · Hourly serviceRegional trains run hourly from Turin Porta Nuova (or Turin Porta Susa) to Ivrea on the Turin-Aosta line. Journey time is 50-65 minutes depending on service type. Tickets cost approximately €5-7.
Book tickets at station ticket offices, self-service machines, or online via trenitalia.com. Purchase and validate your ticket before boarding — Italian rail conductors are strict about this.
At Ivrea Station, take a taxi from the station rank (approximately 20 minutes, €25-30 to Baldissero) or meet the Damanhur shuttle if pre-booked. See shuttle section for details.
Train Services from Other Cities
- From Milan: Take the high-speed train to Turin (1 hr), then regional train to Ivrea (1 hr). Total: approximately 2 hours.
- From Genoa: Train to Turin Porta Nuova (1.5-2 hrs), then regional to Ivrea. Total: approximately 2.5-3 hours.
- From Rome: High-speed train to Turin (3-4 hrs, Frecciargento), then regional to Ivrea. Book in advance for best prices.
- From Florence: High-speed to Turin (1.5 hrs), then regional to Ivrea. Total: approximately 2.5 hours.
- From Aosta: Regional train direct to Ivrea (1 hr). Scenic alpine journey highly recommended.
- From Geneva: Via train to Ivrea through the Swiss Simplon route (approximately 3.5 hours total).
By Plane
Two airports serve the Damanhur region, with Turin Caselle being the primary option and Milan's airports providing additional choices with more frequent international connections.
Turin Caselle Airport (TRN)
The nearest airport to Damanhur at 60 km — approximately 50-60 minutes by car or shuttle. Turin is served by major European carriers including Alitalia, Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling, and Lufthansa, with direct flights from London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels, and many other European cities. A taxi from the airport to Ivrea costs approximately €70-80. Car rental is available from all major providers.
Milan Malpensa (MXP)
Italy's second-busiest airport and the best option for intercontinental travelers, with direct flights from North America, Asia, and many other global destinations. Distance to Damanhur: approximately 150 km (90-100 minutes). The most practical connection is to rent a car or take the Malpensa Express train to Milan Centrale, then an intercity train to Turin, then regional to Ivrea.
Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY)
The budget airline hub of northern Italy, served by Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other low-cost carriers from across Europe. Distance to Damanhur: approximately 140 km. Car rental is available at the airport; alternatively, a bus runs regularly from the airport to Milan Centrale for onward rail connections to Turin and Ivrea. Journey time by car: approximately 90 minutes.
Shuttle Service
Damanhur operates a scheduled shuttle service connecting the community to Turin city center, Turin Caselle Airport, and Ivrea railway station. The shuttle runs on set days and must be pre-booked as part of your visit reservation.
Shuttle Routes & Schedule
- Turin — Damanhur: Departs Turin (Porta Nuova area) at 8:30am on Saturdays and Sundays. Journey time approximately 55 minutes.
- Damanhur — Turin: Returns to Turin at 5:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays (or 6pm during summer months).
- Ivrea Station — Damanhur: Available by request, coordinated with your arrival train. Please provide train details when booking.
- Turin Airport — Damanhur: Available for extended-stay visitors by special arrangement. Please inquire when booking.
- Midweek transfers: Available for groups and longer-stay visitors — please arrange in advance with the welcome team.
Booking the Shuttle
The shuttle service should be booked simultaneously with your visit reservation. Please include your preferred pickup location and any relevant flight or train details. The shuttle seats a maximum of 8 passengers; early booking is recommended for popular dates, especially summer weekends and during the community's major festival periods.
Shuttle cost: €20 per person per journey. Children under 12: €10. The shuttle driver is a community member — feel free to begin your Damanhur experience during the journey.
Local Maps
The Valchiusella Valley is beautiful but can be confusing for first-time visitors. Use the reference coordinates below with your preferred mapping application — Google Maps, Maps.me, and Apple Maps all work reliably in the valley.
Visitor Center
Main welcome center, restaurant, and visitor facilities
45.5134° N, 7.7842° EVia Pramarzo 3, Baldissero Canavese
Temples of Humankind
Underground temple entrance — meet your guide here
45.5198° N, 7.7751° EVidracco, above the village center
Damanhur Crea
Arts center, workshops, and alternative accommodation
45.4892° N, 7.8124° ELoc. Crea, Baldissero Canavese
Important Navigation Notes
The valley roads are narrow and sometimes steep — a small car is recommended if hiring. Some GPS systems direct vehicles to roads that are not appropriate for larger vehicles; when in doubt, follow the brown tourist signs marked "Tempio dell'Umanità" which are placed at all key decision points. Mobile phone signal is generally good in the lower valley but can be intermittent higher up — download your maps before departure.
Parking Information
Adequate parking is available at all Damanhur visitor facilities. The community requests that visitors park in designated areas and avoid blocking village roads or private driveways.
Visitor Center Parking
A dedicated visitor parking area is located adjacent to the main welcome building at Via Pramarzo 3, Baldissero Canavese. Capacity: approximately 40 cars and 3 minibuses. The parking is free for all visitors. Overflow parking is available in the lower village square (5 minutes walk). Electric vehicle charging: 2 standard EU charging points available (Type 2, 7kW).
Coach & Group Parking
Group tours arriving by coach should notify the welcome team in advance. A dedicated turning and parking area for coaches is available at the lower entrance to Baldissero — coaches are not recommended on the narrow upper village roads. Drivers are welcome to use visitor facilities while their group tours the Temples. Please communicate coach dimensions when booking for groups over 20 people.
Cyclists & Motorcyclists
The Valchiusella Valley is popular with cyclists — the roads are beautiful and traffic is generally light. Secure bicycle parking is available at the visitor center. Motorcyclists are welcome and will find the valley's winding roads a pleasure; a covered parking area with security is available. Helmet storage lockers are provided during Temple tours.