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People interested in how one may have traveled during feudal times need only a sense of imagination and a visit to the Portugal National Coach Museum.
A journey into the past requires a very special kind of vehicle indeed. That may still be technologically impossible, but people interested in how one may have traveled during feudal times need only a sense of imagination and a visit to the Portugal National Coach Museum.
This was once the Royal Riding Arena—a place for the selected privileged. The Royal family and Court watched equestrian games here. But it’s now open for everyone today as a museum—with over 50 magnificent ceremonial vehicles from all over the Europe on exhibit.
Among them, it’s easy to spot this one—called the ‘Oceans’. The name was given by King Joao V to commemorate the discoveries made by Portuguese navigators in 15th Century.
Two figures are shown exchanging handshakes--symbolizing the connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean at the Cape of Good Hope.
As you might expect from a museum that got everything from Royal Carriages to Pope mobiles, there’s a fair amount of gold and fancy features at the National Coach Museum in Lisbon. Like many girls who read fairy tales, you may dream of being a princess riding around in a golden carriage.
True to European style between the 16th to the 19th century, the carriages depict the elaborate and delicate details of grandeur of that time.
The interiors are covered with crimson hued velvet with a lacework ceiling and gold fringe. Meanwhile the closed body reveals carved woodwork with flowing, undulating lines.
"This exhibition is very well I think. Because it tells us stories about the past." a visotor said.
"I’m French originally and we have a lot of stuff like this. I think it’s very unique that Portugal could keep them." a visotor said.
Silve Besolo, the manager of the museum, explained how Portugal maintained these carriages in pristine condition.
"In Europe, the Second World War and other conflicts had destroyed many heritages. It’s lucky that Portugal didn’t join any fight so we could keep them." Silve Besolo said.
Also on display are uniforms, saddles, riding equipment as well as oil paintings. While these historical European carriages are fossilized in time, they will ride into their new home next year as the museum gets ready for a move to a new building.
(Source: CNTV)
