Created
through the efforts of Queen Amélia of Orleans and Bragança, wife of King
Carlos I, the Royal Coach Museum, as it was then named, was inaugurated on May
23, 1905.
The site chosen for the museum was the Royal Riding Arena in Belém where the
queen brought together the old aristocratic vehicles of the Portuguese Royal
House along with their respective accessories.
In the original collection were 29 vehicles, dress uniforms, harnesses and cavalry accessories used by the Royal Family. After the establishment of the Republic in 1910, the Museum was renamed the National Coach Museum and its collection was increased with other vehicles belonging to the Crown, the Patriarchate of Lisbon and some aristocratic houses.
Today the museum has a collection that is considered unique in the world because of the artistic variety of the magnificent ceremonial vehicles from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the number of examples.
Travel vehicle used by Princes Maria Barbara during early 1700s
"Coupe" type ceremonial vehicle used by 3 bastard children of King Joao V in early 1700s
Ceremonial vehicle used by King Joao VI during early 1800s
Used by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Lisbon in 1957
detail ...
Promenade vehicle used by Royal Family in their gardens late 1700s
The oldest coach in the collection ...
Royal travel vehicle used during early 1600s
interior detail - showing royal toilet ...
interior detail ...
My next posting takes us to a Moorish castle in the hills at Sintra … quite a contrast to the extravagant palaces here in Lisbon …
