The Matenadaran Manuscript Repository

The Matenadaran holds the largest collection of Armenian manuscripts.

The Matenadaran is in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

The Matenadaran functions as museum, archive, and research center.

Matenadaran means repository or library of manuscripts in Armenian.

The collection began from manuscripts once held by Armenian Church.

In 1939, 9,382 manuscripts were cataloged at the Matenadaran.

The Matenadaran was officially founded in 1959 in Yerevan.

Yerevan architect Mark Grigorian designed the building in 1944.

The building is a 22.4 meter tall cube made of gray basalt.

The façade is inspired by 12th century Armenian medieval churches.

Inside, murals depict Armenian history from Urartu to Middle Ages.

A statue of Mesrop Mashtots stands in front of the building.

The Matenadaran preserves, studies, and popularizes ancient manuscripts.

Matenadaran stands today as a national monument and cultural symbol.