Magili, Natural cave in Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia

Magili is a cave in the Gnishik canyon of Vayots Dzor Region, cut into limestone conglomerate along intersecting fissures. Its halls run 10 to 50 m long, 1 to 3 m wide and 1 to 10 m high, with tube-like passages 1 to 2 m across near the entrance. The surveyed cave is 1,385 m long, covers 2,550 m² and drops 38 m between its highest and lowest points.

The cave was named after hunter Magelan Arakelyan, known locally as Magil, who noticed its entrance on 9 May 1946 and showed it to researchers in autumn 1980, when a group led by chemist Edward Sargsyan explored the Yeghegnadzor area. Neolithic occupation is attested by bear bones, stone tools and other objects found inside. A 2024 Armenian-Czech expedition carried out archaeological work there, and its excavation results are still being processed.

The cave is named after Magelan Arakelyan, a hunter from Areni known locally as Magil, who noticed the entrance on 9 May 1946 and showed the cave to researchers in autumn 1980. The Armenian-Czech expedition that began work in 2024 is still processing its excavation results.

Visiting requires a certified guide, and the entrance accommodates only one person at a time due to its narrow opening. Plan for a guided tour as this is the safe and informative way to explore the cave.

Air temperature inside stays at +7 to +8 °C year-round regardless of conditions outside. In 2005 researchers found a maternity colony of about 600 Arak noctule bats here; eight bat species live in the cave, six of them in Armenia's Red Book.