414-Year-Old Armenian Monument Discovered in Ukraine

A rare piece of Armenian history has been uncovered in the Ternopil region of western Ukraine, where researchers recently identified a 414-year-old monument hidden beneath a village home in Yazlovets.

What locals long believed to be a simple spring in a cellar turned out to be something far more remarkable — an underground structure known as the “Armenian Well,” built in 1611. Most of the installation sits below ground, which explains why it remained unnoticed for more than four centuries.

Above the surface, the site looks ordinary: stone walls, an iron pipe, and flowing water. But once experts dug deeper, they found a sophisticated hydraulic system crafted by Armenian builders in the 17th century. The well pulls water from a powerful natural source into an underground reservoir before directing it outward — an impressive feat of engineering for its time.

Inside, researchers made another important discovery: a stone tile engraved with an inscription in both Latin and Armenian. It reads:

The stone is adorned with an eagle with spread wings at the top and a beautifully detailed cross with floral motifs below — artistic features that experts say are typical of Armenian craftsmanship from that era.

Historians believe the artisans who built the well may have also been responsible for the carved decorations of the nearby Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and the gates of the old Yazlovets fortress.

Researchers say this find is significant not only because of its age, but also because it shows the skill, artistry, and presence of Armenian communities in the region centuries ago.

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