The Magic Cave of Levon, also known as the Levon Dungeon, is a unique underground museum located in the village of Arinj, in the Kotayk region. This unusual architectural creation, made in the spirit of art-brut (naive art), is considered one of the most amazing and visited places in Armenia.
The story of the cave began in 1985, when a local resident, ambulance driver Levon Arakelyan, decided to dig a small potato cellar at the request of his wife, Tosya. However, what started as a simple everyday task soon turned into a long-term creative project. Inspired and carried away by the work, Levon began building a real underground labyrinth, decorated with stone carvings, niches, and sculptures—something he said was guided by inspiration from above.
For 23 years, Levon worked tirelessly—first in the evenings, then up to 18 hours a day—digging deeper into the earth at a pace of 7 to 10 centimeters a day. Beneath his house, a truly magical cave took shape, with an extensive system of rooms and passages. Today, the total area of the cave is about 300 square meters, and to reach it, visitors must descend 80 steps underground.
Despite the complexity of the layout, the rooms are marked and easy to navigate. The first thing guests encounter is a heavy metal door and stairs leading to a candle-lit stone chamber filled with unusual sculptures. Each room is uniquely decorated, offering an atmosphere of mystery and insight into the inner world of the creator.
The tour doesn’t end in the cave. On the first floor of the Arakelyan family house, there’s a small museum where visitors can see Levon’s personal belongings—his tools, clothes, newspaper articles, and gifts from admirers. Outside, the courtyard features a blooming garden filled with fragrant plants, Levon’s paintings, and a souvenir corner where you can buy original keepsakes.
Levon’s Cave is more than just a tourist attraction. It’s the story of a man who turned a simple idea into a lifelong work of art, devoting himself entirely to his vision and leaving behind an underground masterpiece that continues to surprise and inspire all who visit.
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