Here are some key points about the museum:
 

The National Coach Museum is in the Belém district of Lisbon, near the Tagus River. The museum's building, designed by Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha along with Portuguese architect Ricardo Bak Gordon, is a modern structure that provides an elegant setting for the historic carriages.
 

The museum's collection consists of ceremonial and promenade vehicles from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, including carriages, coaches, berlins, sedan chairs, and other horse-drawn vehicles. Many of these carriages were used by Portuguese royalty, nobility, and other prominent figures. The collection showcases the craftsmanship and artistry of carriage makers from various European countries.

Some of the notable carriages in the museum's collection include the magnificent 18th-century Portuguese Royal Coach, which is adorned with intricate gilded woodwork and elaborate paintings depicting historical and mythological scenes. Another highlight is the Coach of Pope Clement XI, an exquisite example of papal transport from the early 18th century.

- History: 

The National Coach Museum was founded in 1905 by Queen Amélia, the last queen consort of Portugal, with the intention of preserving and showcasing Portugal's rich carriage heritage. Over the years, the museum's collection has grown through acquisitions and donations, becoming a significant cultural institution in Lisbon.

In recent years, the museum underwent a major renovation and expansion project, which was completed in 2015. The new facilities provide improved exhibition spaces, visitor amenities, and conservation facilities, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.

 

Overall, the National Coach Museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history of transportation and royal culture in Portugal, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring Lisbon's cultural heritage.

 

May this be of your interest, we suggest combining this visit with a visit to the nearby Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. 

Intimately bound up with the traditions and customs of the 18th century Portuguese court, the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art provides a return to this past on a veritable journey through time at the pace of the elegant and precise “dance” of the thoroughbred Lusitano horses bred by the Coudelaria de Alter stud farm.With regular presentations in the Henrique Calado Riding Ring, on Calçada da Ajuda (Belém), the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art stands out as national heritage and endowed with the objective of promoting the teaching, practice and global dissemination of traditional Portuguese equestrian art, a unique cultural heritage.