Temples of Humanity, the spectacular underground construction
In Vidracco in the Piemonte region, not far from Turin, there is one of the biggest underground cathedrals in the world: the Temples of Humanity. The spectacular hypogean construction is linked to the Federation of Damanhur, a community that philosophically believes mankind to be the bearer of a divine spark and that believes in the sacrality of the universe. The community counts about 600 people that live in Valchiusella, in wooded areas or farms, taking care of themselves with their own administrative bodies and artistic and artisanal activities: its fame is owed to the construction of the Temples of Humanity. Known also as Temple of Man, it was Oberto Airaudi who founded the foundation to start the building project; the story goes that it was a mystical vision of a shining star fallen on earth to indicate the location where to start the construction.
Temples of Humanity similar to an Egyptian pyramid
The construction of the underground cathedral started in 1978 and is still going. Operations have been carried out by hand with simple tools such as picks and shovels; the grand architecture and the walls completely painted over have enabled the temples to be declared “works of art” by Sovrintendenza delle Belle Arti. The visible part on the surface is the Sacred Wood, also known as Natural Temple, which embodies the connection with Mother Earth. Among the trees, paths and tracks unfold marked by colored stones, but the true architectonic and artistic spectacle is underground. The Temples of Humanity occupy an area of 8,500 cubic meters spread on five floors, up to 72 meters deep. The name Damanhur has egyptian origins and the structure of the temples is in fact compared to that of an egyptian pyramid. It comes with seven main halls connected by one path that stands for the interior rooms of the human being, conceived to live a journey in one’s own self. Every hall shows the artistic craftsmanship of the community and stands out for the rich decorative element, sculpture, lighting, paintings and colored mosaics.
The halls of the Temples of Humanity:
- The Hall of Victory is the room located in the deepest area of the Temples and it is dedicated to the celebration of life and beauty of our planet. The frescoes in fact represent several scenarios in which human beings live in harmony with nature. The ceiling of the room is entirely painted over featuring a starry sky that depicts constellations from 22,000, when Atlantis was born..
- Dedicated to the forces of nature, to the telling of the universal divine principle and to the history of mankind according to the philosophy of Damanhur, the Hall of the Earth is characterized by ceramic white columns finely decorated with gold leaf and stained glass windows.
- Inside the Hall of the Metals are represented the stages of human life: eight stained glass windows, encrusted in the wall niches, depict the different stages of life of man, each connected metaphorically to a specific metal.
- The Blue Temple is the oldest room, the one that gave life to the construction of the cathedral. It features a painting with an allegory of the four elements: earth, air, water and fire. On the floor there is a majestic mosaic that depicts the “star” card from the tarots, in honor of the event that led to the creation of the Temples.
- The Hall of the Labyrinth, so called because of the richly decorated architectural elements present in the corridors that give the idea of being in a labyrinth, is an homage to all divine forces of all spiritual and religious expressions.
- Round-shaped, the Hall of Water celebrated the feminine shape and historical memory. The walls feature writings in twelve ancient alphabets and the great dome that towers over the hall is made of Tiffany glass with light blue hues that depict the sea life.
- Located at the centre of the complex of the Temples of Humanity, the Hall of the Spheres is in a place of energetic contact of our planet. Along the walls of tha hall, entirely covered in gold leaf, are placed nine shining spheres that contain alchemic liquids.
- To represent the air and the solar forces, the Hall of Mirrors leaves the visitor out of breath in front of the reflections that multiply to infinity the decorative elements. To enrich the experience there is the constant sound of a gong.
Cover Image: weekendpremium
