Matenadaran Yerevan refers to the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, a research institute and museum at 53 Mashtots Avenue. Its collection spans manuscripts in Armenian and many other languages; check the museum’s ticketing details and opening pattern before planning your visit.
- Location: 53 Mashtots Avenue, Yerevan.
- Collection: About 20,000 manuscripts in Armenian and other languages.
- Usual opening pattern: Open Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday
- Excursions: Register in advance; prices vary by language.
What to see at Matenadaran
Matenadaran’s ticketing portal describes a collection of about 20,000 manuscripts in Armenian, Greek, Arabic, Persian, Assyrian, Latin, Ethiopian, Georgian and Hebrew, among other languages.
Examples include the 1675 Karahat Village (Gandzak) Gospel, the 1684 Kafa Gospel, a 13th-century Cilicia Gospel and the Gospel of the Village Mzuk. These titles offer a starting point for understanding the range of material represented in the collection.
The institute’s collection is based on manuscripts held by the Catholicos of All Armenians at Saint Etchmiadzin. It moved to Yerevan in 1939, and the institution was named after Mesrop Mashtots in 1962.
How to plan your visit
Plan around the museum’s regular opening pattern and register in advance if you want an excursion. Matenadaran combines museum visits with its role as a research institute, so check the details that apply to your visit before setting out.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00–17:00
- Monday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Matenadaran opened in 1957. For a visit focused on the collection, you can use the named manuscripts as a short list of examples to look for, while keeping in mind that the collection covers many languages and periods.
If you’re pairing the museum with another central Yerevan stop, the Cascade’s stairs, art and city views make a distinct subject for a separate part of your day.
Tickets, hours and visitor access
Matenadaran is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 17:50. Sundays, Mondays, holidays and remembrance days are free days.
Excursions require advance registration. The price is 3,000 AMD for an Armenian-language excursion, or 5,000 AMD for an excursion in English, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Persian or Dutch.
The booking office is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00–17:50, and its telephone number is +374-10-513014. The library is open on those same days from 10:00 to 17:00; its number is +374-10-513030. The reading room works in two shifts Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 to 21:00, and is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Before you go: Opening details, prices and access arrangements can change, so check the official Matenadaran site before you go. The museum’s main telephone numbers are +374-10-562578, +374-10-513043 and +374-98-562578.
Getting to Matenadaran from the hotel
Matenadaran is at 53 Mashtots Avenue in Yerevan. Use the address when planning your route from Nork Residence. If you’re considering public transport, the guide to getting around Yerevan from Nork covers that subject.
FAQs
What is Matenadaran?
It is the common name for the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, which combines a research institute and a museum.
Do you need to register for a Matenadaran excursion?
Yes. Excursions require advance registration.
What languages are available for excursions?
The excursion languages are Armenian, English, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Persian and Dutch.
When is the library open?
Open Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. Check the official site before going, as hours can change.