Under the spell of Mount Ararat
- 11 May till 30 October 2022
- Drents Museum
Although Mount Ararat does not lie in Armenia, this famous sacred mountain and the smallest republic of the South Caucasus are inextricably linked.
Armenia & Mount Ararat will be the protagonists of the exhibition Under the spell of Mount Ararat – Treasures from ancient Armenia. Beautiful objects from the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan and also a unique relic of Noah’s Ark will be coming to Assen.
Following the major international archaeological exhibitions on Iran and Nubia in 2018, the Drents Museum will next spring be presenting the story of the rich culture of Armenia – a story that would not be complete without the more than five thousand metres high Mount Ararat. Tradition has it that the Armenians are the direct descendants of Hayk, a great-great-grandson of Noah, whose famous Ark landed on the flanks of Mount Ararat.
Archaeological wealth of Armenia
Visitors of Under the spell of Mount Ararat will go on a journey through the rich history of Armenia. From the Stone Age, in which homo erectus travelled from Africa to Eurasia to settle in what is now Armenia, via the first important leaders who had themselves buried in monumental mounds around 1500 BC, and the Kingdom of Urartu, to the great realm of King Tiridates III (AD 287-330), who made Christianity the state religion.
Gold and silver ornaments, weapons, pottery, and bronze figurines in the shape of animals and warriors will provide an impression of the impressive archaeological wealth of Armenia, from the earliest times until the arrival of Christianity. Many of these valuable objects will be on display in the Netherlands for the first time.
Relic of Noah’s Ark to come to Assen
One of the exhibition’s highlights will be a relic of Noah’s Ark. Saint Jacob of Nisibis is said to have found this piece of wood from the Ark at the foot of Mount Ararat in the 4th century AD. The relic is kept in the oldest cathedral in the world: Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia. The relic and the valuable archaeological objects – around 170 in total – can be admired in Under the spell of Mount Ararat.
Visit
Discover this exhibition in real life. Buy your tickets for the Drents Museum now.
Most of the museum is easily accessible for people with reduced mobility. Most floors are accessible by elevator and there are wheelchair-accessible toilets. The museum has free wheelchairs, walkers and folding stools for anyone who wants to use them. Unfortunately, part of the monumental section of the museum is less accessible.
Because of the number of wheelchairs and walkers being limited, you can reserve them via +31 (0)592 - 377 773.
More information about the accessibility of the building can be found here.
Supervisors (on presentation of a public transport companion card) and registered assistance and guide dogs are of course very welcome and can enter the museum free of charge.
The Drents Museum always has a number of changing exhibitions and we also have a rich collection of our own. You can visit our own collection in our new collection presentation Labyrinthia.
All current exhibitions and presentations can be found on the exhibitions page.
More and more objects can also be found online. Learn all about your favorite object and discover new treasures!
Registered assistance or guide dogs are welcome in the museum, other pets are not.
Brasserie Pingo can be found in the heart of the old museum section. Pingo's opening hours are the same as the museum, from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Here you can drink coffee and eat cake, however salads, sandwiches and appetizers are also on the menu.
