Abbey of Thelema, Occult commune in Cefalù, Italy
The abbey occupies a small villa with pale outer walls, located below the tribune of the local football pitch. The interior rooms still show traces of wall paintings featuring esoteric motifs and geometric shapes.
Aleister Crowley founded this center in 1920 as a residence and meeting place for his philosophical movement. Italian authorities closed the community in 1923 and expelled Crowley from the country.
The name comes from a 16th-century novel by François Rabelais, referring to a community that follows the principle
The building sits below the stadium and can be reached via a path from the parking area that leads down to a stairway. The villa stands on private ground and is not always accessible, so it is worth checking in advance whether a visit is possible.
Members of the group painted their bodies with bright colors during daily ceremonies. These rituals took place at set times and included invocations to Ra, the ancient Egyptian sun god.
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