The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, also known as the Matendaran, is an ancient manuscript repository that will definitely catch the attention of not only historians, but also writers and specialists in literature.

So, if you’re looking for trip destinations that will offer new experience and knowledge, you might want to visit the country with a history of thousands of years–Armenia.

The Matenadaran (meaning “repository of manuscripts” in Armenian) is located in Yerevan–the capital of Armenia. Its collection includes approximately 17,000 manuscripts and books about history, medicine, literature and art, and more than 30,000 historical documents in Armenian, Arabic, Persian, Russian, Japanese and Hebrew.

Even now, the colorful paints on Matenadaran’s manuscripts and ancient books look very fresh and bright. The red paint, that was used in the manuscripts, was especially long-lasting and didn’t fade during many centuries. It is called Vordan Karmir (Cochineal Red) and it was produced from root worms that could be found only in the Ararat valley.

The most impressive works the Matenadaran possesses are the largest Armenian manuscript Msho Charentir, weighing 59.5 pounds, and the smallest Armenian manuscript that weighs only 0.04 pounds and is as small as a passport picture.

Before the Matenadaran was built, the ancient books and manuscripts were spread all over Armenia, Georgia and other countries where many Armenians lived. During the first decades of the Soviet Union, a great number of manuscripts was collected from different Armenian churches and monasteries in Tbilisi, Tabriz and the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages in Moscow. Many manuscripts were also donated by private collectors.

If you happen to visit Matenadaran, pay attention to the design of the building and the statues. In the front of the building you’ll see the statue of Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet. The statue of Koryun, one of the students of Mashtots, is right beside him. There are also the statues of famous Armenians near the entrance: Toros Roslin (13th century manuscript illustrator), Grigor Tatevatsi (15th century theologian, philosopher and pedagogue), Anania Shirakatsi (seventh century geographer and mathematician), Movses Khorenatsi (fifth century writer, the brightest representative of the Golden Age of Armenian literature), Mkhitar Gosh (12th century writer) and Frik (14th century writer).

In 1997, the Matenadaran was included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program Register and is considered to be of world significance.

Armenians are particularly proud of this institute as it holds the whole of Armenian history like no other library or repository does. If you visit Armenia and ask the locals what are the best places for tourists to visit, the Matendaran will surely be among the most popular options.

Photo: © zongo69

Related posts:

1. Once In Garni Temple
2. Must-See Churches In Armenia, Part 1
3. Armenian Karahunj Older Than Scottish Stonehenge