Underground Temples

In 1978, insurance broker Oberto Airaudi began construction on the Temples of Damanhur, guided by visions of the structures from past-life and remote viewing sessions. Over the following sixteen years, the temples were secretly built below ground under his homestead by volunteers with nothing more to go on than Airaudi's descriptions. The temples and their interconnected passageways span more than 300,000 cubic feet, with some columns more than 8 meters (26 feet) high.

After a run-in with police, which revealed the temples' existence, the Italian government allowed construction and usage of the temples to continue, even referring to the temples as "the eighth wonder of the world." Damanhurians, who do not worship any particular spiritual leader but are in accord with Airaudi (now using the name Falco) and his spiritual experiences, use the space for group meditation. The temples are now open to the public.

Story suggested by Kate W. (nekolady@gmail.com). Photos of the Temples of Damanhur by Alex Jarvis under Creative Commons license.