Matenadaran
The ‘Manuscript Repository’ is located in the central district of Yerevan and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the ‘Memory of the World’ program. The modern building was constructed in 1959.
The museum-institute is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet and script (5th century). Statues of the scholar and his student greet visitors at the base of the museum.
Six monuments to Armenian figures of science and culture stand guard at the main manuscript repository. The foundation of the collection was laid by the manuscripts of the Etchmiadzin Monastery.
The museum’s collections include over 120,000 ancient manuscripts, old archival documents, and early printed books, works of Armenian historians, writers, philosophers, mathematicians, geographers, and physicians.
The Gospel, 10th-11th century
The Gospel, 12th century
The Gospel, 13th century
The Gospel, 13th century
Choral Collection, 14th century
Miscellany of Chants, 15th century
The Gospel, 16th century
The Gospel, 17th century
Most of the manuscripts in the Matenadaran are in Armenian, but it also houses ancient manuscripts in other languages.
Fragment of old Georgian manuscript, 12th century
Middle Persian manuscripts
Syriac manuscripts
Chinese manuscripts
History of Alexander the Great,
17th century
Geography of Ptolemy
(facsimile copy)
Poems,
16th century
The museum’s collection is distributed across 12 thematic halls and serves as a valuable resource for the study of Armenia’s history and culture.
About medicinal herbs,
17th century
About human nature,
13th century
Old printed book,
18th century
In the museum are housed the largest and the smallest manuscripts in the world: The Mush Homiliary, 13th century, weighing 28 kg, and a church calendar, 15th century, weighing 19 g (pictured on the right).
One of the most significant manuscripts of the museum is the Etchmiadzin Gospel from the year 989 (illustrations from the manuscript are shown on the left and right in the photo). The cover is made of ivory.
The Shurishkan Gospel, 15th century – is believed to possess miraculous power. According to tradition, it is taken out of the museum annually and delivered to the Saint Gevork Church (Mugni village).
The researchers at the Institute are engaged in the restoration of manuscripts and their fragments, with the primary goal being the preservation of the historical appearance of the object.
