The choice to establish Damanhur in Valchiusella Valley and to build the Temple of Humankind here was not made by accident. Here four 'synchronic lines' meets (as in Tibet) ; they are energy rivers that surround the Earth and link it to the universe. These energy flows are able to catalyse the great forces present in the cosmos. - The Federation of Damanhur; is an eco-society based on ethical and spiritual values situated in the Piedmont region of northern Italy about 50 kilometres north of the city of Turin. Founded in 1975 by Oberto Airaudi; Damanhur; Federation of Communities; has about 1;000 citizens; extends over 500 hectares of territory; has a Constitution; its own currency; a daily newspaper; art studios (glass; mosaic; painting; sculpture; ceramics; metal); a center for research and practice of medicine and science; an open university; and schools for children through middle school.They gained fame in 1992 through the disclosure of their secret excavation of an extensive underground temple; the Temples of Humankind; which was begun in 1978 under complete secrecy. The Italian authorities ordered construction work to stop because it had been constructed without planning approval; although artwork could continue. Retroactive permission was subsequently granted.Valchiusella Valley; Italy. 2012. Photo by ERIC VANDEVILLE