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DAMANHUR |
Book release: November 2006 |
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On a mountaintop outside of Turin, Italy, in 1978, spiritual leader Oberto Airaudi (a.k.a. Falco) had a vision of sacred temples built inside of the mountain -- and the digging commenced. The Temples of Humankind were a secret from even the closest neighbors for the next twenty years as artists, artisans and builders excavated and created the equivalent of a five-story subterranean building. The community that has grown around this underground network of halls and corridors has its own system of government, its own currency with minted coins, its own school and stores. The people named their community, Damanhur, a word channeled by spiritual leader, Airaudi, from ancient Atlantean, meaning "City of Light". Today, temples filled with superbly painted murals, soaring sculptural columns, meticulous mosaic floors, and giant stained glass domes, are the context for this intentional community that celebrates universal world spirituality drawn from all sacred traditions. Secret Doors, the Blue Temple, the Hall of Water, the Hall of the Earth, the Hall of Metals, the Hall of Spheres, the Hall of Mirrors, and a Labyrinth are revealed in this guided photographic tour. This volume represents the astonishing art and architecture created by devoted members of the communal village of Damanhur. Merging ancient mystic customs and principles with contemporary consciousness and philosophy, this tiny utopia has manifested an eco-conscious, self-sustaining society. Damanhur’s temples are its most exquisite gift to the world. |
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Profound appreciation goes to WENDY GRACE and MICHAEL HONACK, and the Tides Foundation, for financial support of the Damanhur book project. Wendy has long been a supporter of the arts and sciences in spiritual applications. Michael is a gifted artist with a specialty in glass work. The couple were so inspired by the Federation of Damanhur that they dedicated themselves to informing the world about their magnificent Temples. |
The Damanhur book project was coordinated by Alex and Allyson Grey, artists and co-founders of the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM). The Grey’s manifested a Chapel of mystical art as the context for an interfaith spiritual community center. The alignment of the two communities, Damanhur and CoSM, on different continents led supporters to invite Alex and Allyson, along with designers Eli Morgan and Marisa Scirocco to create this definitive volume on Damanhur. |