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Matenadaran: A Treasure Trove of Armenian History

Explore Armenia's rich literary heritage at the Matenadaran, home to a vast collection of ancient manuscripts and historical documents.

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The Matenadaran, officially the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, in Yerevan, is one of the world's most important repositories of ancient Armenian manuscripts and books. Housing a vast collection spanning centuries, it's a testament to Armenia's rich cultural and literary heritage.

A brief summary to Matenadaran

Local tips

  • Photography inside may require an additional fee, so inquire upon entry.
  • Visit from Tuesday to Saturday, as the Matenadaran is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
  • Consider booking a guided tour in advance to gain deeper insights into the collection.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Matenadaran is located on Mesrop Mashtots Avenue, a major thoroughfare in Yerevan, making it easily accessible on foot from many central locations. From Republic Square, walk north along Abovyan Street, then turn left onto Mashtots Avenue. The Matenadaran will be on your right. The walk is approximately 20-30 minutes. No costs involved.

  • Public Transport

    Yerevan's public transport system includes buses and trolleybuses that stop near the Matenadaran. Check local bus routes and schedules using the Yandex Maps app for real-time information. A single ride on a bus or trolleybus costs 100 AMD. Pay the driver in cash when exiting.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Yerevan. Use a ride-hailing app like GG Taxi or Yandex Taxi to book a ride. A short taxi ride from the city center to the Matenadaran typically costs around 1100 AMD. Ensure the driver uses the meter.

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Discover more about Matenadaran

The Matenadaran, formally known as the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, stands as a beacon of Armenian culture and historical significance in Yerevan. It is not only a museum but also a research institute and a repository of invaluable manuscripts. The collection, comprising around 23,000 manuscripts and scrolls, along with over 500,000 archival documents, makes it the largest collection of Armenian manuscripts globally. The Matenadaran's collection covers a wide array of subjects, including history, philosophy, medicine, literature, art history, and cosmography, primarily in Armenian but also in other languages. Among its treasures are works by ancient classical authors and rare manuscripts that have survived only in Armenian translation. Visitors can view the smallest book, the 15th-century Church Calendar weighing only 19 grams, and the largest, the 12th-century Msho Charentir, weighing 27.5 kg. The oldest manuscript fragments date back to the 5th-6th centuries, found within the Echmiadzin Gospel. The institute's history dates back to the Etchmiadzin Manuscript Library in 1921, later moving to Yerevan in 1939. The current building, designed by Mark Grigoryan, was completed in 1957. In 2011, a new museum complex was constructed to accommodate the expanding collection and scientific activities. The Matenadaran was named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, in 1962. The Matenadaran is more than just a museum; it's a symbol of national pride and a repository of Armenian identity. Its collection was inscribed into UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 1997. The complex features fifteen halls showcasing manuscripts, fragments, documents, old printed books, and precious bindings. Monuments to prominent figures of Armenian culture, including Movses Khorenatsi and Anania Shirakatsi, stand in the courtyard.

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