Lost for Over 100 Years, Medieval Spring Rediscovered at Armenia’s Great Hermitage of Tatev

A long-lost medieval spring has been uncovered at Armenia's Great Hermitage of Tatev, ending more than a century of uncertainty over the location of a structure known only through historical accounts.

The discovery was made during the 2026 archaeological season by a team from the History and Cultural Heritage Research Center under Armenia's Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. The expedition, led by archaeologist Armen Nalbandyan, located the spring after following descriptions recorded by Armenian architect Murad Hasratyan.

For generations, historians knew the spring had once existed. It was documented by several 19th-century scholars, including prominent Armenian ethnographer Yervand Lalayan, but its exact location was lost after the structure was gradually buried beneath a thick layer of soil.

Archaeologists have now fully excavated the spring, revealing a remarkably preserved structure that researchers say reflects both the advanced engineering and artistic craftsmanship of medieval Armenia. The find offers a rare glimpse into the infrastructure that supported one of the country's most important monastic communities.

Visitors can now see the restored spring at the Great Hermitage of Tatev, a 17th-century Armenian monastery complex overlooking the Vorotan River Gorge in the southern Syunik Province. Once home to hundreds of monks, the hermitage remains one of Armenia's most significant religious and cultural heritage sites.

The discovery was announced by the History and Cultural Heritage Research Center, which said the excavation adds another important chapter to the ongoing study and preservation of Armenia's rich medieval past.

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