# Matenadaran

> repository of ancient manuscripts and documents in Armenia

**Wikidata**: [Q1322278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322278)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matenadaran)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/matenadaran

## Summary
Matenadaran is a repository of ancient manuscripts and documents in Armenia, also known as the Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. It functions as both a research institute and a museum, housing a vast collection of historical manuscripts and serving as a cultural heritage monument.

## Key Facts
- Matenadaran was founded in 1921, with its current building opening on March 3, 1959
- It's located in Yerevan, Armenia at Mesrop Mashtots Avenue 53 (postal code 0009)
- The building was designed by architect Mark Grigorian
- Matenadaran receives approximately 50,000 visitors per year
- It's named after Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet (official naming established in 1962)
- The native name is "Մատենադարան" (Matenadaran)
- It has been designated as a cultural heritage monument in Armenia
- The official website is https://matenadaran.am with contact email contact@matenadaran.am

## FAQs
### Q: What is Matenadaran?
A: Matenadaran is a repository of ancient manuscripts and documents in Armenia, also known as the Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. It functions as both a research institute and a museum, housing a vast collection of historical manuscripts.

### Q: When was Matenadaran founded?
A: Matenadaran was founded in 1921. The current building, which houses the institute, was completed and officially opened on March 3, 1959.

### Q: Who is Matenadaran named after?
A: Matenadaran is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the Armenian monk who invented the Armenian alphabet in the 5th century. The naming was officially established in 1962.

### Q: Where is Matenadaran located?
A: Matenadaran is located in Yerevan, Armenia, at Mesrop Mashtots Avenue 53. The building is a cultural heritage monument in Armenia.

### Q: How many visitors does Matenadaran receive annually?
A: Matenadaran receives approximately 50,000 visitors per year, according to the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia.

## Why It Matters
Matenadaran serves as a crucial institution for preserving Armenian cultural heritage and historical knowledge. As one of the world's richest depositories of medieval manuscripts, it safeguards invaluable texts that document Armenia's literary, scientific, and artistic achievements across centuries. The institute plays a vital role in Armenian studies and medieval research globally, providing scholars access to rare manuscripts that might otherwise be lost to time. By preserving these documents, Matenadaran helps maintain the continuity of Armenian cultural identity and contributes to the broader understanding of medieval intellectual history in the Caucasus region and beyond.

## Notable For
- Housing one of the world's largest and most important collections of Armenian manuscripts, including many unique medieval texts
- Being named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, highlighting its cultural significance
- Its distinctive architecture designed by Mark Grigorian, which has become an iconic landmark in Yerevan
- Serving as both a research institute and a museum, combining academic study with public education
- Being designated as a cultural heritage monument in Armenia, recognizing its national importance

## Body
### Overview
Matenadaran, officially known as Մատենադարան in Armenian, is a repository of ancient manuscripts and documents in Armenia. It functions as a research institute, art museum, archives, and literary museum, making it a multifacultural institution dedicated to preserving and studying Armenian heritage.

### History and Establishment
The Matenadaran was founded in 1921 as an institution to preserve Armenian manuscripts. The current building, designed by architect Mark Grigorian, was completed and officially opened on March 3, 1959. This building has become an architectural landmark in Yerevan and was designated as a cultural heritage monument in Armenia.

### Location and Facilities
Matenadaran is located in Yerevan, Armenia, at Mesrop Mashtots Avenue 53 (Մեսրոպ Մաշտոցի պող. 53). The building's coordinates are 40.19207°N latitude and 44.52113°E longitude. The institute receives approximately 50,000 visitors annually and serves both as a research center and a museum open to the public.

### Collections and Research
As a repository of ancient manuscripts, Matenadaran houses an extensive collection of Armenian and other medieval manuscripts. The institute is named after Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, with the naming officially established in 1962. It functions as a research institute whose primary purpose is the study and preservation of these historical documents.

### Administrative Information
Matenadaran's official website is https://matenadaran.am, and its contact email is contact@matenadaran.am. The institute has various international identifiers including:
- ISNI: 0000000109455966
- VIAF ID: 153334639
- ROR ID: 034xhb710
- GRID ID: grid.493542.d

### Cultural Significance
Matenadaran is recognized as a cultural heritage monument in Armenia and plays a crucial role in preserving Armenian cultural identity. The institute's collections include numerous monuments and statues related to Armenian historical figures, such as the Anania Shirakatsi statue, Grigor Tatevatsi Monument, and Mesrop Mashtots statue, among others.

### International Recognition
The institute has been featured in multiple Wikipedia languages and has been documented in various international reference works, including the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia and the Great Russian Encyclopedia Online. Its collections and research have made it a significant institution for medieval studies globally.

## References

1. [Wiki Loves Monuments monuments database. 2017](https://tools.wmflabs.org/heritage/api/api.php?action=search&format=json&srcountry=am&srlang=hy&srid=1.6/81)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://matenadaran.am)
6. GRID Release 2018-02-08
7. Quora
8. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Matenadaran-DZNJWP)
9. HMML Authority File