Temples of Humankind, Intentional community in Vidracco, Italy
The Temples of Humankind are underground halls carved into a mountain in Vidracco, in the Piedmont region of Italy. The complex spans five floors dug into the rock, with corridors, decorated rooms, and a glass dome in one of the main halls.
Construction began in 1978, when founder Oberto Airaudi said he had a vision and started digging into the rock by hand. The work continued for 16 years, carried out entirely without heavy machinery.
The community behind the site is called Damanhur, founded in 1975 by Oberto Airaudi. Visitors today can walk through the Sacred Wood, an open-air forested path that surrounds the underground entrance.
Guided tours start at Damjil, the surface village connected to the site, and lead visitors through the underground sections. A full visit takes roughly half a day, so it is worth setting aside enough time.
The Hall of Spheres is entirely lined with gold leaf and holds nine spheres on its walls, each filled with a different colored liquid. According to the community's beliefs, each sphere represents a different type of energy.
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