Matenadaran Tourism

Matenadaran, officially known as The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, is a repository of ancient manuscripts, research institute, and museum in Yerevan, Armenia. Perched on a hill at the end of Mashtots Avenue, Matenadaran is named after Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, and is one of the oldest and richest book-depositories in the world. The institution holds a collection of over 23,000 manuscripts and 500,000 other documents covering a wide array of subjects such as theology, philosophy, history, medicine, literature, art history, and cosmography in Armenian and many other languages. The impressive building, completed in 1957, is a symbol of Armenia's ancient culture and intellectual heritage. Its architecture combines elements of ancient Armenian church design with contemporary lines. The grand entrance is graced by a statue of Mashtots and his disciple. Inside, the manuscripts are displayed in exhibition halls and include colorful illuminations, intricate bindings, and ancient literary works. Matenadaran not only preserves these historic texts but also engages in the study and restoration of manuscripts.