Beyond the ancient temples and medieval fortresses that grace Armenia’s rugged landscapes, there are places shrouded in mystery—hidden treasures known to few, yet worthy of the same reverence as the country’s most celebrated landmarks. One such place lies just outside Yerevan, in the quiet village of Arinj. Unassuming at first glance, it hides beneath it a surreal and sacred marvel of human perseverance and vision: Levon’s Divine Underground, or as the locals affectionately call it, the cave of Grandpa Levon.
It all began in 1985 with a simple request. Levon Arakelyan’s wife, Tosya, asked her husband to dig a root cellar for storing vegetables. But what started as a mundane household project evolved into a lifelong obsession. Driven by inspiration and an unseen force, Levon worked on his underground creation for an astonishing 23 years, often sleeping no more than four hours a night. With no electricity to guide him, he chiseled his way through solid rock by candlelight.
The result is nothing short of miraculous. The cave’s deepest chamber plunges 21 meters underground, the height of a seven-story building, while the total area spans over 300 square meters. Spiral staircases connect room to room, intricate corridors twist and turn in multiple directions, and every hall was carved without a single blueprint or the aid of an architect. Entirely self-taught, Levon envisioned each space in his mind and brought it into existence with only a chisel and hammer.
The atmosphere within the cave remains remarkably stable. Year-round, the air holds at a comfortable +10°C, dry and still, untouched by moisture. No droplets fall from the ceiling, and the breath inside feels light and effortless. Visitors often speak of an unusual energy, and experts have detected a strong electromagnetic field within its depths.
There is, too, an undeniable mystical element to Levon’s story. He once spoke of a dream in which a mysterious voice instructed him to build not just a cellar, but a temple. It was to include columns, an altar, seven halls, and sacred symbols. He took this vision to heart, carving out not just functional spaces, but rooms imbued with spiritual symbolism and artistic grace.
Sadly, Levon passed away in 2008, felled by a heart attack while still working on his masterpiece. Yet, his legacy endures. In his honor, a museum was opened in his home, welcoming visitors from across Armenia and around the world. There, one can find his tools—painstakingly labeled by his widow Tosya with the years he used each hammer, wedge, or chisel—alongside personal belongings and a photograph of the man who, with his bare hands, carved out a subterranean wonder.
The architecture of Levon’s underground world defies belief. With its precise arches, elegantly carved crosses, symmetrical staircases, and polished stone walls, it’s difficult to fathom that this was the work of a village pensioner with no formal training. It has the aura of an ancient temple sculpted by a forgotten master of antiquity. And indeed, many have wondered—how could one man have created this on his own?
According to Levon, his guidance came from beyond. He described receiving instructions in dreams—visions that showed him where to dig, how to shape the arches, and how to ornament the walls. In a near-sleep state, he once heard a voice whisper: “Levon, you are destined to create a miracle that will one day astonish the world.” Throughout his years of labor, he believed he was building something sacred and monumental, something far greater than himself.
As word of this humble marvel spread, tourists began to arrive—often unannounced—at the doorstep of the modest home in Arinj. Locals had come to affectionately refer to Arakelyan as Grandpa Levon, and stories of his underground temple reached even beyond Armenia’s borders. Tosya took it upon herself to guide these visitors, sharing tales of her late husband’s unwavering devotion, and leading them through the labyrinthine corridors of his creation.
In one room of their home, she created a corner of remembrance—a small museum in itself—where Levon’s tools are displayed, each tagged with the year it was used. There, too, hangs his photograph, surrounded by tokens of his life’s work, turning the modest village home and its vast underground chambers into a living tribute, a museum of one man’s dream and devotion.
