Levon’s Cave
An underground world created by faith and perseverance
Levon’s Magical Cave, also known as Levon’s Divine Underground, is one of the most unusual and touching museums in Armenia. This remarkable hand-carved underground complex is located in the village of Arinj in the Kotayk Province, just a few kilometers from Yerevan, and is widely regarded as a striking example of naive architecture (art brut). Today, it is one of the most visited museums in the country.
A Story That Began with a Cellar
The story of this underground labyrinth began in 1985 with a simple household request. Levon Arakelyan’s wife, Tosya, asked her husband to dig a small cellar beneath their house to store potatoes. Levon, who worked as an ambulance driver, unexpectedly became deeply absorbed in the process. Over time, the ordinary cellar gradually transformed into a complex underground labyrinth with halls, staircases, and corridors.
Levon Arakelyan had no architectural or construction training. He worked without plans or calculations, claiming that a higher force guided him, showing him where and how to dig. Nevertheless, specialists who later visited the cave were astonished by the accuracy of its proportions, the thoughtful ventilation system, and the structural stability of the underground chambers.
The work continued for 23 years, until the master’s death in 2008. At first, Levon worked in his spare time, but later he devoted up to 18 hours a day to the project. Using only a hammer, chisel, and the simplest hand tools, he carved his way deeper into the rock by 7–10 centimeters each day. Over the years he passed through layers of hard basalt and softer tuff, transforming stone into an artistic underground space filled with carvings, niches, and sculptural compositions.
The Underground Museum
Today, Levon’s Magical Cave is an underground complex covering about 280–300 square meters and reaching a depth of up to 21 meters. Inside there are seven completed halls connected by passages and stairways. The descent includes around 80 steps.
Throughout the year, the cave maintains a comfortable temperature of about +10°C (50°F). The lighting creates a soft, almost mystical atmosphere. Each chamber has its own unique character and decoration, and some halls are illuminated by candles, enhancing the sense of mystery.
Visitors enter through a massive metal door — a symbolic gateway into a special, almost sacred world created by human faith and dedication.
The House, Garden, and Memory of the Master
The visit is not limited to the underground cave. On the ground floor of the Arakelyan family home there is a small museum dedicated to Levon Arakelyan, where visitors can see his tools, clothing, personal belongings, newspaper articles, and gifts from guests from around the world.
The garden surrounding the house is designed in the art brut style and decorated with stones and minerals extracted during the construction of the cave. Levon’s paintings are displayed here, and visitors can also purchase souvenirs.
After Levon’s passing, it was his wife who decided to preserve his life’s work and open the underground complex to visitors. Today, the museum is carefully maintained by Levon’s family.
Cultural Significance
Scenes from several films have been shot inside the cave, including the movie “The Priestess” (2007). The underground complex has been featured in international media, and according to the museum’s official website, it has already welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from many countries.
Why You Should Visit
Levon’s Magical Cave is not just a tourist attraction. It is a story of love, faith, patience, and the incredible potential of the human spirit. It is hard to believe that this entire underground world was created by a single person, entirely by hand, without machinery or professional training.
If you are looking for something truly unique and inspiring in Armenia — a place where stone tells a deeply human story — a visit to the village of Arinj and a descent into Levon’s underground world will become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your journey.
