worth to see all the manuscripts, there are english speaking guides available. Fascinating!If you're interested in history don't miss.
It`s one of the oldest and richest book-depositories in the world. Here are works about history, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy and geography... The visit was very interesting and I think I must go there one more time...)))
If you're travelling in Armenia, this is one of the most important places you should visit in Yerevan. Here you can find the smallest (match size)and biggest monuscripts (28kg). number of collection of ancient manuscripts.It's not that expensive. Less than 2Eur, for students even less if I'm not mistaken 500AMD (1EUR). It's in the very center of the city. SO you won't lose time for reaching there
Matenadaran is a unique scientific center of ancient manuscripts. Although is it called a museum, due to open permanent exhibition, it is actually a home of hundreds of thousands unique ancient manuscripts (books, maps, etc.), not only in Armenian, but also number of other languages/nations. The tour usually takes 1-1:30 hours. There is a nice view from the front of Matenadarn to Mount Ararat. The Matenadaran works every day except Sundays, Mondays and holidays, from 10.00 to 17.00. Tickets price is- 1000 Drams. The guide tours are in 8 languages (Armenian, Russian, English, Italian, Spanish, French, German and Arabic), which costs extra 2500 AMDs for the groups up to 10 persons, and 5000 AMDs for the groups up to 30 persons. Taking photos – 2500 Drams ( No flash allowed)
This is a fascinating museum, though admittedly ancient manuscripts might not be everyone's cup of tea. English speaking guides are available, though they do tend to rush you through. Often an art exhibition in the basement as well.
For history lovers, interesting the handcrafting, the inks used etc. Mini-books, armenian alphabet etc.
What to say, my expectations were higher reading reviews here. Agree that it is one of the oldest and reaches book-deposits in the world, and that's it! I had nice walk up to the museum, excellent view on the city and Ararat mountain. Museum building is impressive and nice. But inside, you can see books, from different centuries, blocked and hidden under the glass, and that's it! You can see 2 pages of the books, ones that are opened. Maybe this museum has historical value, maybe it is one of the best of kind in the world, but to be honest, I had only nice walk up to the hill, nice view, ant that's it.... PS also web page was available only in Armenian......
As you enter, you have to pay a admission fee. Then they ask if you plan on taking pictures, if you are then you do have to pay an extra fee. I disagree that they make you pay an extra fee to take pictures. I really don't understand the point of this, either they allow you to and it is covered by your admissions, or they do not because it may harm the historical pieces. Other then that factor, everything inside this museum was great. They have a lot of historical pieces which you can only see here. This museum is very big and has a lot of people. I advise you pay, and get to take pictures, because the chances of you seeing again all the works of art, and historical pieces is unlikely. a must see place when visiting Armenia, highly recommend it!
I'm not an expert in the field but I found the exhibits very interesting, especially to see how maps or human body were viewed some centuries ago. Nice and compact museum and a great joy to see all of the preserved manuscripts.
Excellent display of many Armenian documents going back over a thousand years. The various documents are divided by cultures, and many are quite ornate.