Damanhur: The “Temples of Humankind” Underneath the Alps

[@mightymyra]

I went last year, as a part of a wider adventure, and am currently wearing one of their selfic jewellery pieces. The photos are amazing but they don't do it justice, to be honest. It's another experience entirely walking through the temples. We walked through in silence and were directed by musical sounds, no talking at all. The people themselves are pretty down to earth and "normal" when you talk to them. I would never personally join but they've got something going on, what they've built, both the temples and their wider community and society, in 40 years is incredible. I'm very glad to know of them and it was funny to come across Simon talking about this in my recommendeds today. I'd always recommend anyone curious to go but it's the sort of place you'll get a lot more out of if you think about what you can offer them, and don't approach it as a tourist.

[@ex-navyspook]

Interesting assessment, especially your last one about what you can bring with you to offer them or with them, instead of as just a tourist.

[@michaw.2168]

@@ex-navyspook maybe she means being respectful, friendly open to the experience and not running around halve naked and drunk. (I'm not an English native sorry about the gender label) I changed it.

[@richardmarina8221]

What did you offer them?

[@mightymyra]

@@richardmarina8221 We put on a rather slung on show for them and hosted a party in their hall (bunch of creatives and theatre folks lol and there were a lot of us) they seemed to enjoy all of it - and showed us round their temples and taught us a phrase in their sacred dance language. But yes has been said also being respectful, not acting like an idiot etc.

[@user-do1kg1py1d]

@@michaw.2168 god dammit you broke mine best idea of this year... thanks! :P

[@powwowken2760]

Now this is how you cult! They're still completely insane, but relatively harmless (comparatively), while being creative and productive enough to create something genuinely amazing

[@billlee5031]

I can't judge till I find out how they screwed

[@schrodingersgat4344]

@@billlee5031 Therein lies the...um..."rub".

[@richardmarina8221]

They are not harmless. This video does not scratch the surface.

[@carlosandleon]

@@richardmarina8221 Harmless as any other church i guess. . .

[@primesspct2]

@@richardmarina8221 to any cult survivor, this is definitely not harmless!

[@MasterMalrubius]

Government: "This is terrible! We're tearing this down!" Other part of government: "This could make a lot of money as a tourist attraction!". Government: "This is ours now!".

[@shindari]

The story of why parts of the Berlin Wall still stand in Berlin, today.

[@yes0r787]

FTW

[@zyourzgrandzmaz]

it's run by the same two ladies and has been for years

[@jmarch_503]

@@yes0r787 Ftw??? Fuck the wall is my guess

[@pleroma49]

It is an independent federation...like the Vatican. And, yes, the founder died some years back and is run...in part..by two very gifted women.

[@ding1466]

"Temples of humankind" this is going to involve a cult isn't it.

[@Wormworttea]

For the god emperor!

[@druidia9]

Like Christianity.

[@tncorgi92]

Not quite as crazy as Scientology, but pretty nuts.

[@jameskosusnik1102]

@@Wormworttea FOR XENU

[@yes0r787]

What could go wrong?

[@Dang3rMouSe]

They might have some craziness to them but that is an incredible achievement to do as amateurs. And I have to agree chestnut🌰 trees do love metal🤘

[@jerkfudgewater147]

Big titty goth girls... ...Chestnut trees... there is a connection

[@Pwnopolis]

I'd say more reckless and dangerous than amazing.

[@123Dunebuggy]

U can be a fruity cult, u can believe in timetravel. But u can not dodge the taxman.

[@Clos93]

Scientology managed to, lol

[@ProphetofEntropy]

@@Clos93 they harassed hundreds of IRS agents until they caved and gave them tax exempt status, no mystery there.

[@alw2839]

Yeah, you can just don't pay your bills online and some creative placement of money. Makes it harder to figure out that they need to audit you plus there underfunded.

[@carlosandleon]

Also the catholic church

[@seanjames6642]

@@ProphetofEntropy good. Let’s copy their tactics.

[@JustArtsCreations]

This is mind-bogglingly cool! This could've been on megaprojects too, to be honest.

[@michaelhowell2326]

My thoughts exactly.

[@Lora2788]

Exactly my thought 👌

[@bodamian_bg]

Agreed

[@danielbenson6407]

Thoughts exactly my

[@dotlaj]

Reading this I just realized it is not megaprojects 🤪🤣

[@archstanton6102]

"Chestnuts prefer metal" needs to be on front of 1st Geographics t-shirt and other merch.

[@aliceputt3133]

Some of them traveled to Santa Monica and I met them and bought a bracelet that stopped negative energy from other people effecting you, and necklace that stopped headaches that a friend borrowed and kept. Wish I could replace the necklace. I also read a book about them which has photos of the temple. It’s amazing. They are a lot more sane and positive than most evangelicals in America.

[@japhroaigmcperson3814]

Simon, that was amazing. I am not religious however when traveling I visit cathedral, churches, megaliths, etc. This one goes to the top of my list. Just incredible .

[@garymaidman625]

When I went to Italy, I saw the churches/cathedrals as museums. Saying that, I was in St Peter's and sat in on a Latin mass, for no other reason that just because and it was actually very powerful.

[@YetiMan500]

You don't have to be religious to appreciate architecture

[@kellyrobinson6663]

That was a brilliant video, you've totally sold me on going there one day to see this. What an amazing architectural feat ☺️

[@JonManProductions]

The farther you go into the video, the more this cult sounds like Minecraft "ALL THE MODS" modpack for some reason...

[@xdizzy12]

So, there is a religion that believes chestnut trees love metal? I'm sold!

[@JimTheFly]

Now I understand why the one next door collapsed. No one in the area really listened to any of that. Hell, the owner of the land it was on was a priest. It probably yeeted itself into the street to end the boredom. LOL!

[@pleroma49]

They are not religious. They are spiritual seekers...frequencies are their focus.

[@TheLoxxxton]

Well I was expecting CULT. I got a bunch of nice peaceful weirdos. Beautifully done art work I wish it had never been discovered. Imagine finding it in 1000 years time. Wow.

[@Baigle1]

Do you think we are naturally carefree and loving from the beginning, or the opposite? What makes you say that? Do you think there are any exceptions?

[@TheLoxxxton]

@@Baigle1 I think a loving and carefree attitude is definitely a product of environmental and societal values. More nurture than nature if you will. The value in sharing and caring is not necessarily a natural instinct for humans. The fact i used the word CULT was more out of convenience than anything else. There are groups that promote hate and violence this just seemed not to be one of them

[@richardmarina8221]

This definitely is a CULT. They are like the scientologists only on a much smaller scale. Don't take my word for it, read the testimonies of ex-members. Read about the people who spent years building that temple without getting paid in real money. People look at the playing music at trees and the time travel and they think 'what a cute harmless bunch of weirdos' but this disguises their nefariousness. You go visit the temple and you pay 50 euros to get in (last time i checked) and you fund brainwashing and slavery.

[@equiusoceano8493]

@@richardmarina8221 It's an operating commune that in it's own right is a tribe. He was right to declare sovereignty.

[@ItsLunaRegina]

It is a cult.

[@kash1974]

They're using Hindu Symbols. Interesting. Simply amazing all of this was done in secrecy. Mind boggling. I m awed at the level of secrecy.

[@PhilMasters]

The Theosophists always had a thing for borrowed Hindu symbolism. Very much a product of the late Victorian imperialist experience.

[@nikkicornelius279]

I can't believe I have never heard of this place before. Humans can do some incredible things once we work together.

[@grantmillington9104]

This was absolutely fascinating, never heard of it before. Thanks for posting it Simon et al.

[@angelinasecatero7507]

Whoa. I never heard of Damanhur. Thanks for this video. I learned something new over breakfast and coffee.

[@--enyo--]

Ditto but with tea.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:05 - Chapter 1 - Just another tax inspection 4:45 - Chapter 2 - Under the wings of Horus 9:25 - Mid roll ads 10:40 - Chapter 3 - Artistic spirals 13:30 - Chapter 4 - Iron into gold 17:35 - Chapter 5 - A chestnut favorite genre 20:25 - Chapter 6 - 8 steps to victory

[@nguyenquyetthang1326]

HORUS? HORUSSS

[@AGDinCA]

That was actually very interesting. I'd never heard of that before.

[@jcdock]

It's impressive to see something like this that is from relevantly recently

[@Lady_Chalk]

“... time travel and singing flowers.” Sounds like Disney’s Epcot (the Future World side).

[@rickgrendel1]

I would like one on houska castle its a really weird castle with the defensive walls on the inside because they though there was a portal to hell there. The nazi's also did some shady stuff there.

[@Digitalhunny]

Wow! That does sound interesting. Imagine the money you could make? Renting out rooms around Halloween, ghost tours & day time historical walks. I'm in! When do we buy it? 😉😊

[@Kurus-pq7xw]

@@Digitalhunny after we wed and produce offspring to help run the shop lmao

[@Digitalhunny]

@@Kurus-pq7xw - Hey, we could populate the entire settlement, start a cult & have people pay _us_ for retreats we run from there. Don't forget we'd have our very own portal to hell. If somebody pisses us off, whoosh.... "you didn't see nothing!" 😂😂😂😂

[@yes0r787]

OMG. Too cray not a good plan.

[@Digitalhunny]

@@yes0r787 - It's a wonderful plan! Single woman meets a random stranger online; together they make an astronomically large purchase of the portal to hell & start a cult. What could possibly go wrong? 😂😂😂😂😂😉

[@SpacePatrollerLaser]

This would make a great SCP Group of Interest

[@justasoul1501]

wow! this is fascinating af. not even the new age mumbo jumbo, it's how they incorporated it all into the architecture and art

[@LoudSue]

The mention of the Theosophists reminded me of this. Would you be interested in a Biographics video about Madame Blavatsky? Her influence is all over New Age thought.

[@paigelore]

"We went on an imaginary journey!" Sudden images of Calvin and Hobbes in their time travel cardboard box come to mind lol :)

[@alfredstevens5276]

Just imagining the business blaze version of this one. Simon seems more of a voice for hire here.

[@stellieford9139]

This is fascinating on so many levels. I want to study them on a sociological level and try and recreate the results in a separate community. I think about things like this every time we find an ancient temple. There is no guarantee that they were representative of any significant portion of the populace. They could be the theosophists of the neolithic making enormous stone works of art unbeknownst to the rest of the world e.g. petra. This firmly encourages me to be weirder

[@texasRoofDoctor]

Love the channel. I prefer your style of delivery over others on some of these topics. Keep up the great work.

[@kevinobrien2311]

"What do we want?" "Time travel!" "When do we want it?" "Doesn't matter!"

[@pamelamays4186]

The construction of this temple would make an interesting Megaprojects video.

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

I'm halfway through and not a single reference to cocaine. Interesting, I was SURE that would have been in there somewhere..

[@sarahcox2957]

legend!

[@robertguagliardo605]

Allegedly 😉

[@genghis_connie]

"Hear me out, man. Birch tree concerts!"

[@tjshultz89]

This is Simon's professional channel, lol. Definitely not Business Blaze, haha

[@matthewyabsley]

He ran out a few days ago. :-))

[@endy9059]

I remember looking at joining this years ago. Blast from the past.

[@bailyslife9923]

Looks like you dodged a bullet. Very beautiful indeed, but as the daughter of a construction worker, I can't help but also see all the knees, feet, shoulders and backs that got left behind in that place.

[@TheMissOmni]

I think this is the best advert intro you've ever done Simon.

[@missavella8624]

Great topic Simon. Idk how I’ve never heard of this one; crazy.

[@williamhardway6436]

I'm gonna watch this when I'm hungover in the morning. Thanks Simon and friends

[@bartfoster1311]

I wonder if anything else like this exists from antiquity, sitting forgotten.

[@angelalovell5669]

O.O I listened to The Nameless City last night by Lovecraft... it's the first story on a massive audiobook type mix of Cthulhu mythos somewhere on here. Perfect response to this question, IMO *shivers*

[@KalRandom]

Yes

[@pammi1111]

Yes, Jon Levi and new earth channels are a good place to start

[@amandajones661]

I bet!

[@aleemahyasmin5982]

Shambhala in Agartha.

[@steel8231]

I could understand making a mountain more stable by digging into it and sealing any cracks you find on the way while building roman style arches in your tunnel.

[@vladsnape6408]

Congratulations Simon on keeping a straight face and composure while reading the script. I could not have done it.

[@tchy7246]

yeah it really was a shade heavy on the mysticism. the damanhurians must be appreciative of Simon doing some free proselytizing on their behalf

[@yanikchappuis7132]

I went there when I was a kid wow. Traveled Europe 2 months and my mom wanted to visit there. Crazy!

[@jonpeterson5749]

Where did all the rock go that they dug out? You can't take that much out and not have a pile that people will see.

[@cavejohnson4306]

They might’ve used the rocks in other projects.

[@michaelbrooks4409]

I've got imagines in my head of the Great escape and them shaking it out a trouser leg 😂

[@archstanton6102]

@Driftwannabe 10 I was about to say they built another mountain but your answer makes far more sense.

[@flamcheeseful]

I would bet it gets crushed into cement or fertilizer.

[@UnchainedAmerica]

they time travelled the rocks to the past.

[@murder13love]

White Tower of Thessaloniki/The city of Thessaloniki is facinating!

[@murder13love]

@Ice Bear Greece

[@murder13love]

@Ice Bear No probs.. endless history to a beautiful city!

[@Orange_Pith]

2:33 Principle Chalmers "can I see it?" "no"

[@Yxalitis]

Aint a patch on the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple's secrets. A good video idea.

[@BulletHole]

0:30 and something walks past the reflection of light beside simon....... did sam escape from the basement?

[@jimBobuu]

Well, chalk up another thing I knew nothing about and now find invredibly interesting! So, how long till we can get a Business Blaze reading of this script? I have no doubt it would be quite entertaining!

[@corgeousgeorge]

The living embodiment of the saying, "Never ask for permission, but make sure you're ready to ask for forgiveness"

[@Bubbaist]

Thanks for this, Simon. Have you thought about a video on the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia?

[@zyourzgrandzmaz]

honestly this place is very cool, ive been considering joining them for the last few years. this place is like a freaky dream from an alternate reality

[@gallusmacclure4107]

Please, please read the testimonials online from ex members and reconsider.

[@nmarrs8539]

Singing plants?!? Shut up and take my money.

[@1220b]

Your comment made me smile.

[@noorasariina5571]

Definitely would love to visit this place💜

[@stephG36]

This sounds a amazing and if you study the ancient world right on point! This is really genius stuff . Thanks for sharing .

[@adamweidenfeller8819]

Video Idea: What was the reaction to the Pompeii catastrophe among the Roman people (all of them, so the common folk right up to the brass)? Did they know what had happened? I know Pliny wrote a firsthand account of the smoking mountain, but how did the common people make sense of a catastrophic event that few if any of them had ever seen the like of?

[@keenanlarsen1639]

I like how the hall of spheres is rectangular

[@katherinek2709]

This is basically the real life version of what I inevitably try to build every time I open minecraft

[@clovervale2836]

This!!!! Haha 😹 relatable

[@brandonshebester9574]

I don't know what bothers me more. The fact that such a beautiful place was hidden from the world, or the fact that such a beautiful place was forcibly revealed to the world

[@amandajones661]

This!!!

[@bryanguzik]

I get telling the actual story of these guys. But we're all here to SEE the place. Is it a problem with limited access to photography, or something along lines of fair use?

[@zackaryfritschie7652]

I mean, someone else in the comments said that the tour they went on was silent no talking aloud, I'd imagine at that rate photography might not be on the list of things acceptable on the property

[@archstanton6102]

Please can you cover Hadrian's Wall

[@GameHammerCG]

He would need a very big sheet to do that!

[@tenhirankei]

@@GameHammerCG How much still remains of it today?

[@GameHammerCG]

tenhirankei A surprising amount

[@archstanton6102]

@@tenhirankei Mostly the middle sections are best examples. I walked the length of the wall last year.

[@theamishsoylentretailersofohio]

Damn. Now I have to decide whether or not to wait on Simon or start google searching for myself. Not the worst thing ever. I'm over 50 yrs old but have been spoiled by being entertained while I learn it sounds millennial to even say that. We're all lucky to have Simon and his great group of channels. Its a pretty good time to be alive.

[@korkrest2669]

Those segways for commercials. I choked in my coffee! :D

[@barrydysert2974]

It's complicated, but I admire this man on several levels!:-)💜

[@angelitabecerra]

Definitely a tourist attraction. I want to visit now. I *adore* art

[@1337fraggzb00N]

Cultists: build the biggest underground temple in the world. Government Consuela: is ok I take.

[@Amarianee]

7:44 that moment when The Boi With The Blaze had to keep a professionally straight face talking about religious beliefs in magics. After watching Business Blaze, I've got more respect for Simon's ability to separate his personal views from his professional duty to provide educational information (on the person/thing, not the "religions." Anyone who watches BB knows what I'm talking about, that Simon would burst into hysterical laughter halfway through the sentence).

[@ledzeppelin27]

This has been the only graphics video I've ever had to turn off. After getting halfway through the psychobabble I had enough.

[@Amarianee]

@@ledzeppelin27 eh, it's what they believed and that's what led to the building of the structures. He's not saying he believes it (trust me, he DOESN'T) he's explaining the story behind it all. Didn't bother me; I find it fascinating and occasionally disturbing, the beliefs that propel people to create or destroy things (or people sometimes).

[@ledzeppelin27]

@@Amarianee It wasn't Simon's fault, he's had me choked up and fighting back tears in the past with some of his videos. But that part about the soul painting machine, all that other bs. I felt like I was reading the scientology manifesto, lol

[@Amarianee]

@@ledzeppelin27 lol right? The more the video went the more I found myself going, "How the hell did poor Simon get through this explanation with a straight face and a steady voice?" I've got to give him credit because towards the end there, I probably would have given up as the presenter and just said, "yeah, so, these guys were complete nutjobs who managed to luck into their crazy cult reinforcing a mountain, but nutjobs nonetheless. The end." All of that just to say, much respect to Mr. Whistler. SO MANY channels and BB Simon really only occasionally bleeds into Top Tenz every once in a while - and that's just fun.

[@evanblake5252]

This place is honestly awesome.

[@azlansalman2549]

Absolutely INSANE! How has no one covering Italy ever mention this?

[@NoahGooder]

came to video expecting crazy cult, stayed for the artwork and well overall interesting vibes.

[@johnalbert7526]

Thanks Simon ! Never even knew this fantastic place existed.

[@murder13love]

Would love a video on Meteora!

[@MajesticSkywhale]

best linkin park album

[@murder13love]

@@MajesticSkywhale even better location

[@paulwoida8249]

Neat place and peaceful as long as Mr. Bond isn't around.

[@Caterfree10]

“Earth, water, air, fire” hey, that’s the reverse Avatar order. BD

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

What few in the community realize is that Falco was a big fan of classical music and recorded Rock Me Amadeus in the 80's.

[@kfitzz]

“Oh yeah! Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey, ‘He said for you to give me your share.’ People…so god damn frail they’d rather put a coin in the wishing well than buy dinner.” - True Detective

[@CH-ml4rz]

I need to rewatch S1

[@angelalovell5669]

O.o snappy quote, but how long has it been since a coin could actually buy a meal? and is anyone throwing enough money to purchase a meal into a wishing well at once? if so, I agree that these people may need intervention lol. Just a curious quote.

[@kfitzz]

@@angelalovell5669 Oh so edgy in response. It's a metaphor therefore not to be taken literally. It's like saying drowning in stupidity, no one actual drowns in stupidity, but it certainly feels that way sometimes.

[@jasonwright1687]

Yeah... Adding this to the bucket list... Mostly for the artwork and ingenuity. Great video, great topic. 👍

[@XLAdvRider]

My cousin Kip and Uncle Rico once came upon such a time travel device in their many travels.

[@trampforthelord]

wolf, what a joy to hear Simon talk meta physical stuff.

[@noblemagi]

There is one like this in Colorado Springs

[@TaiJendamNation]

an underground temple type structure? I'm in Cheyenne and I would love to see something like that

[@austingarrick9453]

Hi Simon! Could you do an episode on the coral castle? It’s got a good story and some conspiracy theories around its construction. We know you love conspiracy theories.... allegedly

[@danielevans4884]

Thank you for that that was very interesting

[@essenlame]

Simon: "The symbology..." Willam DaFoe: "Symbolism, the word is symbolism."

[@1003JustinLaw]

As soon as I heard the word "spiral" my mind instantly clicked onto Uzumaki, the manga by Junji Ito sensei. You can see how that work traumatized me lol, I'm pretty sure I won't be visiting this place because those spirals will definitely induce dreams, or rather nightmares, for me.

[@repeat_defender]

I got the most amazing hippy-dippy new age bullsh@t ads on this video, many laughs.

[@danielkinney1845]

I love this channel

[@binyled]

Simon... you'll need more than just Danny to convert your basement. Good luck with the remodel though.

[@jebusfreak9339]

Beautiful place made my absolute lunacy, I'm at 14:30 at its off the rails now

[@SidheBain]

Anyone else a Behind the Bastards listener? When Simon blithely dropped Blavatsky's name I choked on my drink.

[@SUNRISE-ADVENTURES]

Hagia Sophia would be cool! It is HUGE!!

[@Dank-gb6jn]

Hey Simon, do a geographical video on the Amityville Horror house!!

[@orrytownes2766]

Gotta love a turnaround

[@Grantly]

surprised I'd never heard of this, that's crazy!

[@rincewindrocks]

A Geographics, Biographics, and Megaprojects video all in one!

[@NathanNGM]

Simon, buddy, don't sit so close. I like how you suspend all your disbelief to tell the story. Very professional.

[@Duveng1]

How have I never heard of this before?

[@barbojohnsung7113]

However, great video! I am Italian and had no cue about this place. Thanks!

[@DarqueQueen7]

Thank you so much for the laughs! This is terrifying and hilarious. You hit it out of thr park again, Simon & Co.!

[@keithdrummond1003]

Fascinating story

[@thescarlettbandit5542]

Wonderfully interesting! I remember watching an Exploring with Josh episode, where is he allowed to explore most of the rooms, there are also secret rooms not mentioned in this video. To see these rooms up close, is something else! I believe they have a room of statuettes of every member too, or they were on a Muriel, my brain forgets which.... fascinating place for sure!

[@lathenhertel8564]

Ever thought about doing a video on Hadrian's Wall?

[@wombatperson5431]

This place looks so cool, I want to go

[@faithhouck2907]

Love your video topics. Wonderful voice.

[@maryelizabeth1216]

This video gave me whiplash