Specifications

• Category: Intentional community ecovillage
• Country: Italy
• Established: 1975
• Number of visitors per year: tens of thousands
• Size: about 600 adults (children from the surrounding valleys)
• Area: approx. 486 ha
• Web: https://www.damanhur.org
• Contact: contact form on the web 

Damanhur is a living lab for the Future, federation of spiritual communities, with its own constitution, culture, art, music, currency, schools and uses of science and technology. It was founded in 1975 from the inspiration of Falco Tarassaco (1950-2013). His enlightened and pragmatic vision created a fertile reality based on solidarity, sharing, love and respect for the environment. 

The Damanhur Federation consists of several communities, each with about 20 people. About 400 other people live in the surrounding valleys and regularly take part in activities in Damanhur. Living in a community supports the creation of a social model based on solidarity - a strong manifestation of which is voluntary work with respect for others and the environment - and the sharing of ethical and spiritual values.

The settlements of the Federation of Damanhur in the Valchiusella area cover more than 486 hectares of land, which includes forests, agricultural land, residential areas with about a hundred private apartments, art workshops, craft studios, businesses and farms. Damanhur has centers in Italy, Europe and Japan and works with spiritual and community groups around the world. 

In 2005, Damanhur received recognition from the UN Global Forum on Human Settlements as a model for a sustainable society. The people of Damanhur have a deep respect for the environment as a conscious, sensitive entity and a commitment of our beings in parallel with the plant and animal worlds (as well as the intelligences that inhabit this universe), with respect and education. One expression of this philosophy is Music of Plants, in which communication with the plant world inspires concerts where trees and plants are musicians together with human musicians.

The citizens of Damanhur grow organic food and livestock and reconstruct and build new dwellings according to the principles of ecological buildings. Own companies specializing in renewable energy, organic clothing, food production and other areas. The Damanhurians prefer natural healing methods and a holistic view of health, but they do not exclude current science and medicine. The aim is to evaluate life in all its forms while leaving as little impact on the environment as possible. Where appropriate, current state-of-the-art technologies are used sparingly to protect health and nature. 

The federation has its own schools, from kindergarten to college. The education of young children is very important based on our own research and at the same time provides the minimum official education required by the Italian state. For adult education, the Federation has a free university that offers courses and experiential platforms open to discussion with researchers from around the world. Damanhur has a institute, alternative currency, daily newspapers, magazines, arts and crafts workshops, a conference center and laboratories for applied medical and scientific research. 

Damanhur was founded in 1975, when a group of people gathered around the figure of the philosopher and healer Oberto Airaudi to plan the creation of a new society where everyday life could be a practical application of spiritual values. The goals of Damanhuru are in fact: The freedom and awakening of the human being as a divine, spiritual and material principle; Creating a model of life based on the ethical principles of living together and in love; Harmonious integration and cooperation with all forces associated with the development of humanity. 

Damanhur is famous worldwide for its Temples of Humankind - an underground handmade work of art. The Temples of Water, Earth, Universe, Mirrors, Metals or Blue Temple and Labyrinth - are precious mosaics in which Damanhur celebrates universal spirituality and rediscovers the unification between man and God for all humanity today.