Lisbon is famous for vehicles. It doesn’t matter if they are a part of public transport, royal or personal collections. Moreover, the older the car is, the more interesting the exhibition becomes.
Carris Museum is just one of the attractions to mention. The tram 28 is another one. It’s a must for all tourists who want to enjoy the views to Alfama and other lively parts of the city.
Our new museum is even more unique. It displays old vehicles, which were not just used as public transport, but as royal carriages, adorned with every possible luxury. They’re all in Museum of Coaches, an attractive sight for fans of royalties and monarchs.
The museum was opened in 1905. The initiative belonged to Queen Amélia of Orleans and Bragança, who wanted to assemble all carriages that were used by royal entities and open them for public. Before that, the carriages were hidden in storage places all over the country. Now, they all stand together in one space. The building is not very attractive from the outside, but the interior fully corresponds to the collection. The ceiling is covered with gorgeous paintings. In fact, the building is the old Royal Riding Arena of Belem Palace.
The collection includes 29 royal carriages. These vehicles belong to 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. There’s more to see though. The exhibitions include dress uniforms, harnesses and cavalry accessories. I want to draw your attention on the art decor. Don’t just walk the rows and think “OK, so this is carriage 1, that is carriage 2, carriage 3, and so on.” That way the museum won’t be interesting at all. Approach every single piece with individual curiosity. The decorations are incredibly rich and beautiful.
By the way, don’t miss the chance to take some original shots while you’re there. Put on something royal-like, maybe a military style jacket or wear an interesting hat. The photos will come out awesome. Add a few visual effects and there you go, a picture of your alter ego, who is a part of the Portuguese royal family.
If you have a well developed imagination, you’ll most probably be very impressed from the museum. The carriages are places as if someone is about to enter and get them ready for a trip.
There are both permanent and temporary collections. Check their website before the visit and see what temporary exhibitions they have at the time of your visit.
The ticket costs only €5. There’s a discount for people older than 65 years and younger than 16. If you’re looking for a discount, have an ID with you or hope for a friendly Portuguese guides and museum staff.
Lisbon is a historic city. Its history is reflected in every aspect of tourism. The architecture, culture, even the vehicles on the streets hint about the rich history of the city. This is why Lisbon is a delicate mix of urban and retro, a cocktail which you’ll definitely like. The museum is just another piece of that cocktail, not overly popular but extremely breathtaking.
