"Carriage for me, carriage!" - one wants to exclaim, being in the museum of carriages in Lisbon. A magnificent collection of vintage carriages and wagons, considered the most impressive in the world.
The Carriage Museum has become the most visited museum in Lisbon, and this popularity has played a cruel joke on it. But let's talk about everything in order.
The history of the museum began on May 23, 1905 with the light hand of the last Portuguese queen, Donna Amelia. The carriage museum was opened in the building of the royal arena ( Picadeiro Real), built in the middle of the 18th century.
The riding arena was built in neoclassical style by the architect Giacomo Asolini. The building was erected in a few years, but the interior decoration lasted 40 years.
Although, when you see a skillfully painted ceiling, you understand that the time was not wasted. The arena consists of two parts - the main hall, and the galleries of the second tier, from where the nobility watched the competitions from the balconies.
29 carriages fit in the hall of the arena. But in the bins of the Portuguese, there were still many interesting exhibits that were gathering dust in the vaults. The city authorities decided that there was nothing good to waste and built a modern building for the carriage museum right across the street.
If earlier travelers had a problem finding the entrance to the carriage museum, now you definitely won’t pass by.
A huge structure made of glass and concrete, located almost on the banks of the Tagus, next to the commuter train station Belem. How many disputes, rallies and scandals have been around this concrete box, worth 40 million euros.
At first, we were skeptical about this building too. However, after the construction was completed, the building turned out to be quite harmonious.
Lots of light and space inside. The new building of the National Carriage Museum, as if balanced the Belen district, where before that there was a similar concrete structure - the cultural center of Belen.
The architect is convinced that technology is an integral part of any project, and not just a tool for its implementation. All his projects are brutal, technological.
The main materials are concrete. The shape is a parallelepiped. Tape glazing of the lower tier of the building creates the feeling that it is one with the surrounding space.
On May 23, 2015, 110 years after the founding of the museum, it opened its doors in a new guise. The museum has not just a lot of space, but a lot. And if in the old building there was a feeling that you were allowed into an old garage, then here this feeling disappears.
In the premises, in addition to the main exhibition of 70 carriages, it was possible to allocate space for a temporary exhibition, a restoration workshop, an auditorium for 330 people, a library, an archive, a souvenir shop and even an ice cream parlour. Santini.
The main core of the exposition of the National Carriage Museum in Lisbon is the carriages of the royal family of Portugal. Many of the presented vehicles were left as a gift to the Portuguese monarchs from the Spaniards, Austrians, Danes, French, Italians.
The oldest exhibit dates back to the 16th century, and then all the splendor is presented in chronological order, so that we can follow the technical evolution of carriages, as well as the change in tastes of the nobility and clergy, with a clear example.
In order not to describe each exhibit, we decided to focus on the most remarkable ones.
The carriage of Philip II (Portugal) or Philip III (Spain) is the oldest carriage on display. And, most likely, the most uncomfortable of all. Philip II visited Lisbon in 1619, two years before his death, and traveled all the way from Madrid in this carriage. Heavy curtains served as the only protection from the wind and cold.
Another design feature of this carriage is the hole in the seat. As you understand, it served in order not to stop the carriage when the monarch was sick or needed to relieve himself. Recall that one could only dream of a comfortable journey in this vehicle.
Echoing the antiquity, the carriage belonged to the cousin of the French King Louis XIV. Maria Francisco de Saboya Mademoiselle d'Amale) was the wife of two brothers: the first husband was King Don Afonso VI (he asked for a divorce), the second was his brother King Don Pedro II.
This golden carriage is sure to grab your attention. It was made by order of the Austrian emperor José I in 1708, for the wedding of his sister Donna Maria Anna of Austria with the Portuguese king João V.
Letter M, which is engraved on the carriage, is the monogram of Donna Maria Anna. Official name "Carriage of Donna Maria Anna of Austria".
This is a carriage of French masters of the 18th century. It is worth paying attention to the sculptures on the roof of the carriage - angels crowning the dragon. The dragon is the symbol of the royal house of Braganca.
This is without a doubt the gem of the collection. The carriage screams for show, surprising with its luxury and richness of decoration. The triumphal carriage was made in Rome in 1716, especially for the visit of the Portuguese embassy to the Vatican.
The delegation was sent at the height of the Portuguese empire, when the golden shower from Brazil made João V the richest monarch in Europe.
The carriage is decorated with gilded baroque figures - an allegory on the theme of the Portuguese maritime discoveries and the connection by sea of two oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic.
Recently, this amazing exhibit has been restored using original materials, fabrics and embroidery. The book is dedicated to this truly titanic work. .
Next to this dazzling carriage are two more valuable specimens, which also included a cartege sent to the Vatican. Coach Coronation of Lisbon.
In the center of the sculptural composition, the girl is Lisbon. You may be wondering why the capital is represented as a woman. We will not torment you with guesses, in Portuguese Lisboa feminine, so Lisbon is actually a young lady.
The third carriage from this cortege bears the name Ambassador, the sculptural composition of this carriage is an allegory on the theme of Navigation and the conquests of the Portuguese. Lions, dragons, sea monsters, horses and many other sculptures.
The carriage owes this name to the round table installed inside. The second name - "Princess Exchange Carriage" received because of the ceremony that took place in 1729 on the border of Portugal and Spain.
Then the Portuguese princess Maria Barbara (daughter of Don João V) was exchanged for the Spanish princess Mariana Vitoria, daughter of Philip V. The princesses set off to marry the future kings of Spain and Portugal, respectively.
The carriage is completely closed, has two glazed windows. The interior is upholstered in crimson velvet, the ceiling is decorated with gold woven fringe.
In the next room, there are many carriages of clergy and carriages that were used in religious processions.
A kind of progenitor of sports cars. The work of the Portuguese masters of the late XIII century. This fast sidecar could be driven independently. Leather curtains protected from the weather, and it was possible to look at the road through glass round windows, which gave the carriage its name.
The royal family also used such a carriage, and on September 3, 1759, an assassination attempt was made on King Don José I when he was riding in a carriage of this type.
The king was wounded, recovery was delayed. This event finally shook the already unstable psyche of the king, who had not yet recovered from the earthquake of 1755.
Interesting options for children's carriages. In such vehicles, young princes and princesses traveled around the royal gardens and parks. The carriages were harnessed either by ponies or by goats.
Hunting was one of the main entertainments of the nobility. In the 19th century, such vehicles delivered hunters and escorts to the scene of this action. Ladies were allowed to sit in these carriages to watch the hunt. With rectangular outlines, the carriage resembles Gelendvagen.
The carriage was made in London in 1824. It got its name from the crown located on the roof. This crown was placed there specifically for the coronation ceremony of Don Carlos.
In 1957, it was this crew that was given to the English Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Portugal. This is the last carriage in Portugal that was used to transport a member of the royal family.
This crew, unremarkable at first glance, does not leave indifferent the Portuguese of different political views.
After all, it was in this carriage that the penultimate king of Portugal, Don Carlos I, was killed and the heir to the throne, the future last king, Don Manuel, was wounded.
The tragic event occurred on February 1, 1908, when the royal family was returning from Vila Vicosa. The action took place in Lisbon on Commerce Square.
On the doors of the carriage, anyone can see the traces of bullets that hit the king and prince. Queen Amelia tried to protect her husband and drive off the killer with the only "weapon" she had - a bouquet of flowers.
An excellent example of 19th century public transport in Portugal. This stagecoach ran between Lisbon and Porto. At that time, this road took several days.
The stagecoach made stops to change horses. It could carry fifteen passengers and a coachman. The seats were of different classes: two seats of the first class, four of the second, third class were located on the roof of the stagecoach, where the poor sat on boxes and bales with things.
With the beginning of the operation of the railways, post stagecoaches began to be sold to wealthy families with estates in the countryside. Although, some stagecoaches were still used for their intended purpose in hard-to-reach parts of the country.
In addition to these carriages, the museum displays many more vehicles. As well as uniforms, saddles, sabers, riding suits - everything that is somehow connected with horse-drawn transport.
What happened to the former building of the Carriage Museum?
As before, it is open to the public, there are only 7 carriages. But if you want to touch the history and see the royal arena with an elaborately painted ceiling, you can buy a ticket to visit both museums at a discount.
The carriage museum will be interesting for both adults and children. Fairy carriages can be viewed very close. We are sure that everyone will find a carriage to their liking. And after that, you can go to have a bite of monastic sweets and see how the kings lived in the Ajuda Palace.
The National Carriage Museum in Lisbon is the oldest of its kind and one of the most visited cultural sites in the city. The collection contains almost a hundred exhibits of the 16th-20th centuries: from luxuriously decorated cabins of monarchs to discreet options for civil servants. This is complemented by things related to equestrianism. The museum complex is divided into two buildings: a new large high-tech building and an old arena in the Renaissance style. You can visit both - the first contains the main collection, and the second has preserved the design of the 18th century. The institution has a scientific library and a restoration workshop. There is a park in front of the entrance.
History of the Museum
The history of the modern complex dates back to 1726, when King João V purchased several houses, a palace and an arena on the banks of the Tagus River, in the Belem district. In 1786, the old racing stadium was demolished. A new one was built the following year, but the final decoration was completed in 1828. The initiator was the king's son, who was fond of horseback riding. In subsequent years, the interior was decorated with paintings, tiles and engravings. 1904-1905 - the arena is converted into a museum. 1940 - an additional hall is built. 1994 - the city government acquires items for the collection, and issues a decree on the creation of a new museum square. From 1999 to 2001, a large-scale reconstruction of the former building took place. In 2010, the construction of a modern facility began, and on May 23, 2015, it was opened.
Collection and exhibitions
The exhibits on display date from the 16th century to our time. The main part of the collection is carriages, which are divided into types such as: carriages, coupes, sedans, convertibles, clarences, my lords, etc. There are about 20 varieties. Some models have figures of horses and additional details attached to make it easy to understand how they moved. All vehicles are genuine and have been used in driving before. There are especially valuable ones that belonged to noble and royal people: the crew of Queen Mary Francis of Savoy, King Pedro II, Pope Clement XI, Queen Mary I and others. Most are pompously decorated with gold bas-reliefs, murals and leather interiors. More modest options appeared in the middle of the 19th century, for example, a mail coach.
In a couple of rooms, a collection of things related to horse transportation and historically valuable items are demonstrated: these are wheels, hunting pipes, tournament shields for horses, jockey outfits, etc. They are divided into sections: a painting gallery, horse games, hunting, uniforms, saddles , harness, decals, etc.
The site often becomes the venue for temporary exhibitions. Several rooms have been set aside for this. For example, paintings from the Kings and Queens of Portugal series, miniatures of famous carriages, and drawings by contemporary artists were exhibited. As part of educational activities, events are held at which they are introduced to the history of Portugal. There are interactive educational games for children. On the first Sunday of every month there are free tours.
Royal Riding School
The 1786 building was originally the world's first carriage museum. Created under the leadership of Queen Amelia d'Orleans, opening - May 23, 1905. The interior decoration is made in a royal way: the ceiling is decorated with three medallions with allegorical scenes of equestrian art; a balustrade was built around the entire hall; gold bas-reliefs are used in details. All this has been preserved and restored. Visitors can enter here for a fee. The arena was located very close - across the road. A number of vehicles, a royal portrait gallery and cavalry accessories are on display from the collection. Concerts and performances are also held here.
The masters worked on the design of the riding school for 40 years - this can be seen from how accurately the details are made.
Working mode
The cultural facility is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 without breaks. The box office closes at 17:30. Closed on Mondays and holidays: January 1, May 1, Easter Sunday, June 13, December 24 and 25. The riding school is open from 10:00 to 18:00, lunch from 12:30 to 14:00.
Entry fee
There are several rates for visiting. The price depends on which complexes you go to:
- museum for adults - 8 euros, preschoolers - free of charge;
- riding school - 4 euros;
- museum and school - 10 euros;
- museum and National Palace of Ajuda - 12 euros.
How to get to the Carriage Museum in Lisbon
By car, follow the N6 highway to the GPS coordinates - 38.696600, -9.198440. There is a paid car park across the road. Book a taxi through the Uber or Gett app. It will be convenient to get to the place by public transport to Belém station:
- by bus number 28, 714, 727, 729 and 751;
- by tram number 15;
- by boat to the river station;
- train on the Cascais line.
The National Carriage Museum is the most visited museum in Lisbon. Within its walls is one of the world's finest collections of carriages and wagons that once belonged to kings and cardinals. The collection includes Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, Austrian and Italian carriages from the period of the 17th-19th centuries. The collection gives an insight into the evolution of transport used by European courts before the advent of the automobile, and the design style that has changed over the centuries.
The Carriage Museum is located in the east wing of the Belem Palace. The building used to be a riding school. The museum was opened on May 23, 1905. This was facilitated by Queen Amelia of Orleans, the wife of the former King of Portugal, Carlos I (Carlos). It was originally called the "Royal Museum of Transport" and consisted of 29 exhibits. The museum contains vehicles, mainly carriages, from the 17th to the 19th century.
The arena was intended for training horses and their subsequent preparation for the races. The dimensions of the arena fully corresponded to its purpose: 50 m long and 17 m wide. Members of the royal family could watch the training of horses from specially constructed balconies.
Riding motifs dominate on all decorations, the upper part of the hall and the ceiling. Under the ceiling in the form of oval medallions are painted paintings. One depicts a dagger, symbolizing Portugal, and four female figures, which are a symbol of the four continents. Next to each figure, an animal characterizing the continent was depicted: a horse - Europe, a camel - Asia, a crocodile - Africa and a parrot - America. In 1904, it was decided to transform the Race Arena into a museum.
Queen Amelia in 1905 opened to the public a collection of carriages that belonged to the Portuguese kings. There are a wide variety of cards here. One of the most valuable is the old carriage of Philip II of Spain - the oldest in the museum's collection. The carriage is over 300 years old. Philip II used it during his visit to Portugal in 1619. This is a rather modest wooden carriage, upholstered in red leather.
Portuguese ceremonial carriage from the 18th century. Used by Queen Mary I in 1790 during the consecration of the Estrela Basilica in Lisbon.
The carriage belonged to Queen Maria Francisca of Savoy, cousin of King Louis XIV of France and wife of King Afonso VI (1666) and later Pedro II (1868)
Over time, the carriages became heavier and more beautiful. Among the decorations were gilding, velvet, mahogany, statues, candelabra, etc.
This carriage was used for lighting. The footmen held olive oil lamps and followed the royal carriages. Moved the sign next to it. It's called lampion.
The carriages of the last samples of the 19th century weighed several hundred kilograms and even tons.
Three huge carriages are exhibited here, made in Rome for the Portuguese ambassador to the Vatican, on which later, by decree of King Joan V, the royal delegation went to Pope Clement XI. The arrival of this delegation, distinguished by pomp and splendor, is documented in the Vatican Museum.
The carriages are trimmed with plush and decorated with life-size statues covered with gilding. They write that this carriage weighs 5 tons.
Until now, the value and luxury of these carriages amazes visitors to the museum. This carriage in 1995-99. restored, while using the technology of the period when it was created.
The collection also includes canopies, hearses, stretchers, convertibles, chaises. The plaque reads something like this: 18th century vehicle without wheels, pulled by two mules. The panels are decorated with gallant scenes and scenes from happy rural life.
A ceremonial vehicle from the late 17th century. It belonged to King Pedro II and therefore has a shield with the royal coat of arms. Decorated in the style of Louis IV, on the sides are paintings representing the seasons of the year
Having been in Lisbon, it is impossible not to visit the most popular museum of the capital of Portugal - " National Carriage Museum". The building in which it is located is organically connected with the history of this transport that has sunk into oblivion. Back in 1787, Prince Juan, later King Juan VI, began the construction of the Royal Arena for training in horseback riding. The building itself was built by architect Giacomo Azolini in the neoclassical style, but the subsequent decoration of the exterior and interior continued for more than 40 years.
The arena is a front hall 17 meters wide and 50 meters long. In its upper part there are stands connected by narrow galleries, and at both ends of the building there are balconies for judges and the royal family, from where they watched the competitions. Magnificent paintings by Portuguese artists depicting allegorical scenes of all aspects of the art of horsemanship decorate the upper part of the hall, but the most grandiose sight is the ceiling, covered with frescoes by the great Portuguese masters Joaquim José Lopes, Francisco de Setúbal, José de Oliveira and Nicola Deleriva.
In 1905 the building was transformed into carriage museum, and after the overthrow of the monarchy in 1910, the collection expanded so much due to the crews of the patriarchate and some noble families that the museum space had to be increased, which was done in 1944 by the architect Raul Lino. Now the collection of the museum in Lisbon is considered one of the best in the world. In addition to carriages, there are also convertibles, canopies, sedan chairs, palanquins, hearses, phaetons and children's carts in which ponies were harnessed.
The oldest and most valuable item in the collection is the carriage of King Philip II of Spain, on which he came to Portugal in 1619. Further, the exhibition unfolds in a chronological retrospective. All carriages are distinguished by magnificent finishes in the style of their eras. Closer to our time, carriages are becoming heavier and more refined, velvet, gilding and mahogany trim appears, they are decorated with statues and candelabra. Such carriages were often accompanied by special lighting carriages, where footmen held lamps with burning olive oil. Such crews were called lampions.
The latest examples of carriages already weighed more than a ton. Three huge carriages, made for the Ambassador of Portugal in , are trimmed with gold and plush and decorated with statues in the height of a man. Such a carriage weighs 5 tons, and the richness of its sculptural compositions can be considered for quite some time.
In the upper part of the hall there are pony carts, prams and carts for dolls, as well as various intricate accessories for horseback riding - spurs, saddles, harnesses and uniforms. The walls of the halls are decorated with magnificent tapestries depicting members of the royal family.
Everyone remembers children's fairy tales, where princes and princesses ride carriages, and an excursion to the National Museum of Carriages is a journey into a fairy tale, where they appear in the real world, and it’s even a little pity that we will never see such beauty on the streets of our cities and we will never ride on such carriages.
