Damanhur
Federation of Spiritual Communities
What is the magical place called Damanhur?
Falco founded Damanhur in 1975 in the alpine foothills north of Piedmont, Italy, a region between Turin and Aosta, surrounded by the lush, green valley of Valchiusella. It has since grown into a highly evolved, multilingual community of 500+ people. As a self-sufficient Federation with its own constitution, culture, art, music, currency, schools and uses of science and technology, its citizens generously share their depth of knowledge, research and resources with the world through numerous centers, associations and outreach around the globe.
Damanhurians graciously host thousands of visitors on site each year who participate in tours, seminars, retreats and courses through Damanhur University. The community has attracted interest from scholars, educators and researchers in the fields of art, social sciences, spirituality, medicine and alternative health, economics, biology and environmental sustainability. In 2005, Damanhur received recognition from the United Nation’s Global Human Settlements Forum as a model for a sustainable eco-society. It has captivated attention from around the world as a possible future way of living for all of humanity.
Crotalo feels fortunate to have been close friends with Falco, and trained directly by him through countless community, art and humanitarian projects. Perhaps the most notable and renowned is the construction of the Temples of Humankind, an extraordinary subterranean work of art and architecture that has been called the “Eighth Wonder of The World.” Working alongside Falco and other early Damanhurians, Crotalo dug out by hand (without engineers and architects) what became a cathedral in the heart of the mountain, decorated with mosaics, stained glass, sculptures, wall paintings and other works of art. The process became a practical meditation for Crotalo, especially given that the temples’ construction itself is dedicated to awakening the divine spark present in every human being.
For more than 35 years since then, Crotalo has lived and worked in Damanhur as a spiritual researcher, esoteric teacher and energy healer. In 1989, Crotalo was instrumental in expanding Damanhur’s reach in Italy by helping to found the Damanhur Center in Turin. Six years later, he created and was named CEO of the Damanhur Welcome Center and Olami University in Damanhur—which continues today to organize visits and educational programs enjoyed by guests from around the world.
Crotalo’s influence grew significantly in 2001 when he became an Ambassador of Damanhur, traveling to every continent (except Antarctica) to bring Damanhur’s message to the peoples of the world. In 2004, he opened the Damanhur Center Croatia in Zagreb and the Damanhur Center Austria in Wien. In 2010, Crotalo took on the leadership role of coordinating all Damanhur ambassadors. Crotalo also teaches regularly in the United States and founded the first Damanhur Mystery School in Boulder, Colorado.
Crotalo’s Significant Role in Damanhur’s Global Mission
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The Damanhur Federation of Communities is a member of the Global Ecovillages Network (GEN), Italian Villages Ecological Network (RIVE) and National Association of Social Promotion (CONACREIS).