Matenadaran

You will be astounded by the rich collection of ancient manuscripts at this museum. If you are a fan or an expert in that field, this museum is a must for you to visit. Another amazing fact is that the museum was created back in the year 405 – after the invention of the Armenian alphabet. It will be no exaggeration to say that this museum is one of the most ancient and richest museums of ancient manuscripts in the world.

The rich collection of Matenadaran

Matenadaran or Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts has a collection of 17,000 manuscripts of the Armenian ancient and medieval science and culture. It also includes translations of many original documents of other languages which were not preserved in the original versions and are available only in the Armenian translation. The foreign writers whose works are available in their Armenian translation are: the illustrious Greek philosopher Aristotle, Plato, Philo of Alexandria, Porphyry, Zeno, etc.

Matenadaran also owns handwritten volumes in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Polish, classical Slavonic, their investigations adding fresh chapters to the histories of Europe, Transcaucasia, the Middle and Near East. Matenadaran holds books and manuscripts in history, philosophy, literature, art history and cosmography.

This museum has the writings of historians Movses Khorenatsi, Yeghishe and Aristakes Lastivertsi in its depositaries. Also you can find the preserved writing of prominent medieval Armenian writers Grigor Narekatsi and Nerses Shnorhali.

Exceptionally interesting is the 28 kg manuscript “Homilies of Moush” scribed in Moush in the 18th century. Shown next to it is the 15th century tiny book-calendar weighing 19 gram.

In the course of the recent 50 years, Matenadaran experts have published more than 200 studies, medieval original documents and exclusive manuscripts.

Modernization of Matenadaran

Recent efforts to modernize the museum include digitalization of a huge volume of manuscripts kept in Matenadaran. The digitalized manuscripts are accessible for scientific research and interested people can make use of them. Some digitalized miniatures have been posted in the website of Matenadaran. This does not concern to materials of narrow expert interest.

Also, a new building is being built due to the generous supports of philanthropists. The new building will be equipped with modern technologies, will have scientific-educational center, modern reading halls. Scientific conferences may also be held in the premises.

The average number of visitors to Matenadaran is 50,000-60,000 annually.

Practical Information

The Museum stands at the top of Mashtots Avenue. 

Address: 53 M. Mashtots Ave.; Tel.: (+374 10) 56 25 78, 58 32 92; Open 10:00 AM - 16:30 PM; Closed on Sunday and Monday; Entrance fee 1000 AMD (~ $ 2).