Visiting Matenadaran

About Matenadaran

The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts holds thousands of Armenian manuscripts, including illuminated gospels, scientific texts and maps. A statue of Mesrop Mashtots, creator of the Armenian alphabet, stands in front of the building.

Tip: Join a guided tour in English to understand the illuminations and the history of the Armenian alphabet.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1.5 hours.
• Cost: Low cost.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Mashtots Avenue, long central avenue leading to the Matenadaran.

Best time to visit Matenadaran

Matenadaran is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:

• May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
• April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• March: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds.

When to visit Yerevan has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Yerevan itinerary visits Matenadaran on day 1, together with Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Republic Square and Opera House and Swan Lake.

• No. 3 of the 17 sights in our Yerevan things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
• One of the picks in museums in Yerevan.

Near Matenadaran

Also in Mashtots Avenue, so you can walk between them:

• Blue Mosque — 30 minutes, free

If you like Matenadaran

• History Museum of Armenia — Republic Square, 2 hours
• National Gallery of Armenia — Republic Square, 1.5 hours
• Sergei Parajanov Museum — Kond, 1 hour

Staying near Matenadaran

Stay in Mashtots Avenue ($$) to walk here: long central avenue leading to the Matenadaran. All areas to stay in Yerevan.

Questions travellers ask