Matenadaran
The Matenadaran, officially the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts,is a museum, repository of manuscripts, and a research institute in Yerevan, Armenia. It is the world's largest repository of Armenian manuscripts.
It was established in 1959 on the basis of the nationalized collection of the Armenian Church, formerly held at Etchmiadzin. Its collection has gradually risen since its establishment, mostly from individual donations. One of the most prominent landmarks of Yerevan, it is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, whose statue stands in front of the building.
The word matenadaran is a compound composed of the words matean ("book" or "parchment") and daran, ("repository"). According to Hrachia Adjarian both words are of Middle Persian (Pahlavi) origin. Though it is sometimes translated as "scriptorium" in English, a more accurate translation is "library of manuscripts." Though not technically a library, the Matenadaran is often referred to as such. In medieval Armenia, the term matenadaran was used in the sense of a library as all books were manuscripts.
Currently, there are several manuscript repositories around the world known as matenadaran such as the one at the Mekhitarist monastery in San Lazzaro, Venice and the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.To distinguish it from others, it is often referred to as the Matenadaran of Yerevan, the Yerevan Matenadaran or Mashtots Matenadaran.
Now the explanations of tours through the Matenadaran museum complex are given to visitors and guests in 7 languages: Armenian, Russian, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
It was established in 1959 on the basis of the nationalized collection of the Armenian Church, formerly held at Etchmiadzin. Its collection has gradually risen since its establishment, mostly from individual donations. One of the most prominent landmarks of Yerevan, it is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, whose statue stands in front of the building.
The word matenadaran is a compound composed of the words matean ("book" or "parchment") and daran, ("repository"). According to Hrachia Adjarian both words are of Middle Persian (Pahlavi) origin. Though it is sometimes translated as "scriptorium" in English, a more accurate translation is "library of manuscripts." Though not technically a library, the Matenadaran is often referred to as such. In medieval Armenia, the term matenadaran was used in the sense of a library as all books were manuscripts.
Currently, there are several manuscript repositories around the world known as matenadaran such as the one at the Mekhitarist monastery in San Lazzaro, Venice and the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.To distinguish it from others, it is often referred to as the Matenadaran of Yerevan, the Yerevan Matenadaran or Mashtots Matenadaran.
Now the explanations of tours through the Matenadaran museum complex are given to visitors and guests in 7 languages: Armenian, Russian, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
From April to October Matenadaran works every day, except Monday and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00.
Cash register is open until 4:30 pm.
Groups of more than five persons must arrange visits in advance.
Tel: +374 10 56 25 78
Cash register is open until 4:30 pm.
Groups of more than five persons must arrange visits in advance.
Tel: +374 10 56 25 78
Address: 53 Mashtots Avenue, Yerevan
Show contacts
+374 10 562 578
+374 10 562 578
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