The National Coach Museum or The National Carriage Museum is a placed in the top 5 museums that you should visit during your stay in Lisbon. This museum houses one of the largest collections of carriages in the whole world. Here you can see carriages and chariots that are 400 years old, starting from the 16th century until the 20th century, which have been used throughout history. The thing that attracts the most attention is the old Pope's carriage.
This museum was opened back in 1905. It was opened by Queen Amelia of Orleans, who as a princess from France was married to King Carlos I. Some carriages are wooden, some are metal and some are gilded. By visiting this museum, you can clearly see the differences that existed in the society even 400 years ago. The oldest carriages date from 1581, and were driven by King Philip II of Spain. Several carriages belonged to Pope Clement XI, which were built in the 18th century in Italy (Rome), and were made, same as buildings, in styles that were popular in that period. So the Pope's carriages were made in beautiful baroque.
Most of the carriages in the museum belonged to the kings of Portugal, they are lavish, rich, associated with lordship and wealth. Both kings and queens and princes and princesses used these carriages as the main means of transport at that time. Each of the carriages is very well preserved. The carriages are housed in an equally beautiful and rich room where, in addition to open and closed carriages, there are other art objects of kings and queens, such as personal items and paintings, top hats for men or white gloves worn every day or at balls. Here you can also see notes for music played in the courtyards.
It is a real treasure that Lisbon has preserved as many carriages from its golden age, because most of them belonged to France and Italy. Carriages, cars of the Middle Ages, are one great symbol of the royal family and their power, and every carriage is a great work of art.
This museum is located on the site of a former riding school, so visitors can learn about the history of the praised horses that pulled the royal chariots.
In the immediate vicinity of the museum, which is an unavoidable stop, there are sights that are also equally important: Monastery of St. Jerome, Archaeological Museum and Monument to the Lisbon Discoveries.
Ticket price for the National Carriage Museum
Regular ticket price 8.00 euros
Children up to 12 years - free
every first Sunday of the month - free of charge
Working hours of the National Carriage Museum
Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday - closed, as well as during important holidays. (Christmas, Easter, New Year)
Author of the text:
Maja Glavaš, Bachelor with Honours in Communicology. Works in Tourism.
Contact: [email protected]; instagram: travel_europe1
