Levon’s Divine Underground: A 70-feet Deep Cave Carved by One Man
It’s never too late to discover your passion and the incredible story of Armenian Levon Arakelyan is the best proof. What started out as a simple request from his wife to build a storage space for potatoes, became the project of a lifetime. A 70-feet deep maze of tunnels, stairs and caves, all made by one man.
In 1985, builder Levon Arakelyan’s wife asked him to build a cellar beneath their home, so she could store potatoes. It was a fairly simple task for an experienced 44-year-old builder. However, as he started the project, he literally couldn’t stop carving.
Using only a hammer and a cutter, Levon managed to get 70 feet beneath the house by carving halls, stairs and rooms. Also, each area has specific handmade shrines and uniquely designed walls, which only adds to the mystery of the structure. At the time of his death in 2008, the 67-year-old builder still had many plans left for expanding the cave network.
According to his wife, Tosya, Levon worked for 18 hours a day almost every day to carve into the hard rock. In fact, the task was so difficult that, for the first 10 years, he could only dig small holes, that were a few inches deep.
Apparently, the builder had mysterious dreams, where the spirits showed him how the cave should look like. In fact, Levon claimed, that he already knew the precise measurement of each structure from his visions. Furthermore, the builder used to tell his wife, that the spirits gave him all the strength needed to complete his mission.
Although he spent 22 years working on the project, Levon still didn’t get to finish the cave structures. He had specific plans to carve another 74 rooms and tunnels, which would have taken him three more decades. Each of the new rooms was supposed to be uniquely decorated.
After the builder passed away in 2008, his wife, Tosya, decided to keep his memory alive, by opening a museum. It didn’t take long until Levon’s Divine Underground became one of the most visited museums in Armenia. Over 40,000 tourists from all over the globe, already admired its beauty. After all, this might be the ultimate proof, that anything is possible.
Official website. Video from AFP news agency: “Heaven-guided’ underground maze proves Armenian tourist draw”.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Levon’s Divine Underground, 9 Fifth Street (also listed as Davit Khachatryan Street 9), Arinj, Kotayk, Armenia
- Coordinates
- 40.23039, 44.57048
- Access
- This family-run museum is below a private home and visits are accompanied. Contact the family and confirm access before travelling; do not enter the home without permission. The route includes about 80 stairs, narrow passages and uneven stone. Ask the family about mobility, balance or enclosed-space needs before arranging a visit.
- Admission
- No reliable current price is confirmed. Published sources conflict: some list AMD 1,500–2,000, a 2023 listing says AMD 500, and another guide says donations are accepted. These are not a verified current tariff. Contact the family before travelling and ask what payment they accept.
- Time needed
- Allow about 45–75 minutes for the accompanied visit, excluding travel to Arinj; this is a 2026 visitor-guide estimate, not an official timed tour.
- Best season
- No official preferred season is published. A 2023 specialist listing describes year-round opening, but visits are arranged at a family home; confirm availability before travel.
- Opening hours
- No dependable daily timetable is confirmed. A 2026 local visitor guide says published hours and fees vary; other listings give conflicting closing times of 17:00, 18:00 or 20:00. Contact the family before travelling rather than relying on a directory schedule.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-14
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-27
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