Matenadaran

source: wikipedia.org

Matenadaran is a unique repository of medieval manuscripts. The Institute was opened in 1959, based on Echmiadzin Monastery’s collection. It exhibited about 17 000 manuscripts, which represent the best examples of ancient Armenian literature and miniature, these are mostly pieces of parchment, fossilized fragments of manuscripts found in caves, the first printed copies of books, etc. The most ancient manuscript, which extent to our days is the Gospel of Veamor (Virgin Mary), created in the VIIth century. Many of the manuscripts are of great artistic value, including Msho charntir, the largest Armenian manuscript, which weighs about 28 kg, and the church calendar created in 1434. Armenian manuscripts are rich in epitomes. Colors used in the epitomes, were produced only from natural dyes, and thus over time they have not faded and lost its original freshness and brightness. Red paint, vordan karmir, from the root worm - cochineal, widespread in the Ararat valley. It was exported to different countries of the world and is still known in the lexicon of artists as carmine. Matenadaran is not only a museum, but also the largest research center. Not far from the Matenadaran operates a large library, which carries out scientific research work.