Matenadaran or Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscript in Yerevan, Armenia was designed by architect Mark Grigoryan and built in 1957. The Matenadaran is a major centre for the study and preservation of Armenian works of literature. It houses a collection of approximately 17,000 manuscript and 30,000 other documents. This museum holds one of the world’s richest depositories of medieval manuscripts and books.
The Matenadaran is located at the foot of a small hill. The statue of Mother of Armenia can be seen on top of the hill.
The majestic Matenadaran building.
At the courtyard of Matenadaran, is a statue of Mesrop Mashtots and his beloved student Koriun, kneeling beside him.
Mesrop Mashtots is known as the inventor of the Armenian alphabet in 405 AD. The letters of Armenian alphabet can be seen carved into the wall behind the statue.
This institute was named after the Mesrop Mashtots. Not only did he created the Armenian alphabet, he was also known as the creator of Caucasian Albanian alphabet and the snake like Georgian alphabet.
The giant statue of Mesrop Mashtots can be seen as you head towards Matenadaran.
Koriun (the guy looking upwards) is well known as the author of ‘Life of Mesrob’. The bibliography of his teacher.
Walking up the ramp, the statues of historical Armenian scholars, Toros Roslin (13th century), Grigor Tatevatsi (15th century), Anani Shirakatsi (7th century), Movses Khorenatsi (5th century), Mkhitar Gosh (12th century) and Frik (14th century) were erected on the left and right wings of the building’s exterior.
Time to head in the building.
The list of ticket price being displayed at the ticket booth. 1000 AMD (USD 2) per entry. If you want to take photos, there is an additional cost of 2500 AMD per person.
Welcome?
The guard and guide of Matenadaran.
The beautiful interior of Matenadaran.
Walking up the stairs to the exhibition hall on first floor where the manuscripts were displayed and preserved.
The statue of Movses Khorenatsi (5th century).
Movses Khorenatsi is one of the student of Mesrop.
The largest Armenian manuscript in the world, weighing at 34kg.
Next to this book is a tiny prayer book, weighing 19 gram.
The Echmiadzin Gospels is one of the main exhibits of Matenadaran. The book itself was produced in the 10th century. However, the binding of the book is made of carved ivory plaques of the 6th - 7th century.
The octagonal dome of the building.
The one thing I dislike about Armenia is you have to pay a fee to take photographs.
That’s me looking at an interesting inscription.
In 1204, I, Ter Hovhannes built with great difficulties this church, collected cross stones and manuscripts and laid out the Jotats vineyard and gardens. Afterwards, with the help of the landlord of Hatari, I gave up this church with its surroundings to my older brother Hasan and his sons. The breaker of this agreement will be punished by God. In the name of God, This is my, Hasan's inscription. When my brother having built this church, gave the monastery to me, I, on my turn, donated Khondzorabek with its surrounding to this church. Anybody who opposes this decision opposes the will of God. Anybody who destroys this inscription will not have God's mercy.
The manuscripts spans a broad range of subject including history, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy and geography.
A 17th century gospel.
The unfading colours on the ancient manuscripts.
Arabic script manuscripts section.
Top left is the earth, planets and zodiac according to Ptolemy. The others are ancient maps of the world.
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More planet and zodiac charts.
The world map.
A 10th century map of Armenia, Aaran and Iranian Azerbaijan.
The oldest Armenian manuscript map of the late 13th or early 14 century.
Map of the countries neighbouring the Caspian Sea.
Herbs and medicine.
Different sections of the Matenadaran to be explored.
Most of the manuscripts are in Armenian.
But there are also Greek, Hebrew, Arabic and many other languages.
Gospel of Mathew, 17th century.
An interesting looking book.
To the top is a Tamil manuscript written on palm leaves. Below is a Hebrew manuscript.
Some interesting manuscripts.
Even a Japanese manuscript can be seen here. A 1812, Manga, Japanese manuscript.
The statue of Anania Shirakatsi, 7th century.
A big 28 kg book and a tiny book weighing only 19 gram.
This tiny book is a 15 century church calendar .
Most of the manuscripts are actually kept in a storage area which are not accessible to the public.
Other than manuscripts, there are numerous famous Armenian statues.
I had a really interesting visit to the Matenadaran. The only problem is there are no English manuscript. I can’t read a single word of any of the medieval manuscripts.
Other than books and manuscripts, there is an area where the paintings of the famous Armenian painter, Martiros Saryan is on display. Seen above, is a painting of himself. From young to old.
A biography of the painter. He lived from 1880 – 1972.
Some of Martiros Saryan paintings which I liked.
Painting of the famous Mount Ararat.
Morning’s Triumph, 1957.
Took few more pictures of the Matenadaran before leaving.
A family photo inside the elevator..
After spending some time in the museum, it was time to leave. Well, not before taking a few more pictures of the building.
Taking a picture with the outstanding thinkers of ancient Armenia.
View from Metenadaran.
Time to leave the museum.
A family photo before leaving.
It’s really well worth a visit to the Matenadaran if you don’t mind not understanding the manuscripts or just want to marvel at the architecture of the building. Next I head over to Mother Armenia.
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