Italy’s Stunning Secret Temples Of Damanhur – City Of Light
Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - The story behind the construction of the temple is in some ways just as remarkable as the temples themselves. For a long time, not even the Italian government was aware of the temples' existence.
This is place where legend, mysticism and beauty meet and the people who had the privilege to visit the temples were astonished by their magnificence.
Located in the Alps of Northern Italy, not far ancient city of Turin there is the valley of Valchiusella. Beneath a modest house located on a hillside, 100ft down and hidden from public view, lies a huge subterranean complex called the 'Temples of Damanhur' the City of Light. The underground palace is not a legacy from an unknown lost civilization, but a work of modern time.
It all started back in the 1960s when a small boy by the name of Oberto Airaudi, according to himself began experiencing visions of gorgeous hallways and sanctuaries.
He interpreted the images as visions of what he believed to be a past life, in which there were amazing temples.
Oberto Airaudi believed that the temples were home to a highly evolved people who enjoyed an idyllic existence in which everyone worked for the common good.
As a small child he spent his time digging holes in his parent's yard to learn the principles of excavation. Later, as an adult he decided to turn the fascinating images in his mind into reality.
In 1977, he selected a remote hillside where he felt the hard rock would sustain the structures he had in mind. At this time, Oberto Airaudi became more eccentric.
He changed his name to "Falco" and declared that he could travel in his mind to any place in the world to study the architecture of any building he chose.
Together with a small group of trusted friends, Falco started to build a subterranean complex. "My goal was to recreate the temples from my visions", he said.
Soon he was also joined with like-minded people from around the world. They shared his ideals. Using hammers and picks, they began their dig to create the temples of Damanhur, named after the ancient subterranean Egyptian temple meaning City of Light - in August 1978. But no planning permission had been granted, and they had no choice thnn to keep the project secret from the local community.
For the next 16 years, he and his friends from around the world worked in four-hour shifts. They had no formal plans other than Falco's sketches and visions. They funded the entire project by setting up small businesses to serve the local community.
The work was slow but the result was impressive. The temples were constructed like a three-dimensional book, narrating the history of humanity. Decorative tunnels, several hundreds of metres linked together the temples. The entire subterranean complex occupied occupy almost 300,000 cubic feet.
In 1991, many chambers were ready and they all had astonishing statues, mosaics, mural and secret doors.
The working team had not yet completed the project but the secret was soon going to be revealed…
When the police came the first time they were interested in alleged tax evasion. The temples had not yet been discovered.
But Oberto Airaudi and his colleagues were not so lucky the next time… One year later, the police returned and this time they demanded: "Show us these temples or we will dynamite the entire hillside."
Oberto Airaudi and his team had no other option than to reveal all the secret temples they had been building for the last 16 years.
The policemen were stunned when they entered the subterranean chambers. The authorities decided to seize the temples on behalf of the government.
"By the time they had seen all of the chambers, we were told to continue with the artwork, but to cease further building, as we had not been granted planning permission," says Esperide Ananas, who has written a book called Damanhur, Temples Of Humankind.
Very few people have had the privilege to visit the temples of Damanhur, but those who have been inside say it is an experience for a lifetime.
Today the 'Damanhurians' even have their own university, schools, organic supermarkets, vineyards, farms, bakeries and award-winning eco homes. They do not worship a spiritual leader, though their temples have become the focus for group meditation.
They are to remind people that we are all capable of much more than we realize and that hidden treasures can be found within every one of us once you know how to access them," said Falco.
The temples of Damanhur (the City of Light) are a result of hard work by dedicated people mixed with a man's visions and creativity.
Copyright © AncientPages.com & Ellen Lloyd All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com and Ellen Lloyd
About the author:
Ellen Lloyd – is the owner of AncientPages.com and an author who has spent decades researching ancient mysteries, myths, legends and sacred texts, but she is also very interested in astronomy, astrobiology and science in general.
More From Ancient Pages
-
Mysterious Ancient Figure Depicted On A Jade Cong May Re-Write History Of China
Artifacts | Oct 11, 2019 -
On This Day In History: Spanish Conquistadors Led By Hernan Cortés Entered The Aztecs Capital Tenochtitlán – On Nov 8, 1519
News | Nov 8, 2016 -
Number Eight Powerful Symbol In Ancient Traditions Of Many Cultures
Ancient Symbols | Dec 8, 2017 -
‘Vandal’ Of Norwegian Viking Graves Identified But Charges Have Been Dropped!
Archaeology | Nov 9, 2020 -
Deception And Hidden Truth – Ancient Struggle Of The Eagle And Serpent – Part 3
Ancient Symbols | Sep 9, 2019 -
Hidden Prophecies Inside The Great Pyramid Of Giza Discovered By Scientists
Featured Stories | Jun 21, 2017 -
Vahanas – Sacred Animal Vehicles Of Hindu Gods And Goddesses
Featured Stories | Apr 30, 2017 -
Beowulf Is Much Older Than Previously Thought And Not An English Poem – Professor Says
Linguistic Discoveries | Jan 6, 2020 -
Remarkably Well-Preserved Thermopolium With Frescoes, Food, And Jars Discovered In Pompeii
Archaeology | Dec 28, 2020 -
Killer-Of-Enemies – Mysterious Non-Human Teacher And Hero Of The Apache Indians
Featured Stories | Nov 16, 2020 -
On This Day In History: Powerful Warlord And Emissary Of Spear-Thrower-Owl Arrived At Tikal – On Jan 8, 378 AD
News | Jan 8, 2017 -
INAH Researchers Deciphered Hieroglyphs And Identified 14 Maya Rulers In Ancient City Of Cobá, Mexico
Archaeology | Jul 29, 2020 -
Face Of Iron Age Female Druid Reconstructed
Archaeology | Aug 20, 2019 -
‘Skeleton Mosaic’ – 2,400-Year-Old Scenes Depicted On Glass Artwork Found In Turkey
Archaeology | Apr 23, 2016 -
On This Day In History: Roman Emperor Caligula Was Born – On August 31, 12 AD
News | Aug 31, 2016 -
UFO Sightings Recorded In Ancient Times Or Atmospheric Phenomena?
Featured Stories | Aug 31, 2015 -
Qanat Firaun -‘Canal Of The Pharaohs’ Is The Ancient World’s Longest Underground Tunnel
Featured Stories | Mar 10, 2022 -
Large Mysterious 2,000-Year-Old Structure Discovered At The Center Of A Military Training Area In Israel
Archaeology | Dec 3, 2017 -
Nabataean Culture Lived On Long After Their Kingdom Disappeared – New Evidence
Archaeology | Feb 27, 2019 -
The Untold Story Of The Great Sphinx – One Of The Greatest – Part 1
Featured Stories | Aug 9, 2019