Carriages

The Carriage Museum is spread across four buildings in the ‘Terreiro da Ilha’ area to the north of the Ducal Palace in Vila Viçosa.

The Royal Coach House was built in the reign of King João V in 1728 to replace the 17^th-century coach house commissioned by the seventh Duke of Bragança, Teodósio II. It was built to meet the need to accommodate a large number of royal carriages, which came for the ceremony known as the ‘Exchange of Princesses’ on the border, overlooking the River Caia. The two Iberian royal families reinforced their ties through the marriage of Bárbara of Portugal (daughter of King João V and Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria) to the heir to the Spanish crown, Fernando VI of Spain, and of Princess Mariana Victoria of Spain (daughter of King Felipe V and Elisabetta Farnese) to the future King José I of Portugal.

The Dom José Royal Stables were built in 1752. They are about 70 metres long by 7.5 metres wide, and were thus able to house dozens of horses.

The double stables were built in the reign of Queen Maria I of Portugal. Each of the buildings is about 70 metres long. The interior, which is laid out in three naves, still features the original mangers along the side walls. The roof of the second building is a slatted, unlined tiled roof in the traditional Alentejo style.

This space is home to carriages from the National Coach Museum, the Palace of Ajuda, the Machado de Castro National Museum, Lisbon City Hall and the Library-Museum of the House of Bragança, together with various private long-term loans.

This highly diverse collection includes models ranging from ceremonial carriages from the early 18^th century to light hunting vehicles from the early 20^th century. They were brought together here in order to allow visitors to discover how horse-pulled transport evolved over time.

LANDAU OF THE REGICIDE

F. J. Oliveira - Lisbon, 1875-1900

Vehicle constructed in Portugal in the late 19th century for the Portuguese royal family. This is a carriage with two hoods that could be kept open or closed. The box has a black background with flap doors bearing the monogram of King Carlos I. The hoods are made of black leather, devoid of decorative elements. At the rear is a curved case for carrying weapons. The interior is lined with dark blue button-tufted Moroccan leather and is accessed via two exterior stirrups. The two circular lanterns are made of glass and black-painted metal leaf, positioned next to the coachman’s bench, together with the crank brake. At the back of the box, two mudguards overlap the rear wheels. The wheels are painted red and have rubber tyres. The suspension uses elliptical springs
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. PNA 50864 / [Roteiro MNC – 22]

PATRIARCHATE COACH

France, final third of the 18th century

Ceremonial vehicle. Gilded wood box in the Louis XIV Baroque style, with paintings depicting scenes from classical legend. The flap doors and the rear side bear the prelatic coat of arms.
It belonged to the Patriarchal Palace of São Vicente de Fora, Lisbon.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES / INV. MNC 18 / [Roteiro MNC – 1]

BISHOPRIC BERLIN

Portugal, 1770

Ceremonial vehicle. The box has rococo decoration against a golden background, with shell and baskets bearing flowers and garlands. The front and rear sides bear the prelatic coat of arms of the Archbishop of Évora, Dom Frei Patrício da Silva (1819–1826). The side panels and flap door feature depictions of mythological figures and cherubs. The suspension consists of leather straps stretched lengthways by a rotating gear, the 'cric'. This type of vehicle, which originated in Berlin in the 17th century, was faster and safer than the standard coach.
It belonged to the Archbishops of Évora.
Photo; Fundação da Casa de Bragança (FCB)
ROYAL STABLES / INV. 3358 MUSEU DE ÉVORA / [Roteiro MNC – 3]

ROYAL FAMILY BERLIN

France, second half of the 18th century

Ceremonial vehicle. The box, with a red background, is painted with the coats of arms of the Portuguese royal family. It is decorated in rococo style, with gilded woodcarving. The handles, nailwork and buckles are made of chased bronze. A special support system for the box is deployed in the rear undercarriage.
This forms part of a set of berlins commissioned by King João V in Paris in 1727.
PHoto: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES / INV. MNC 32 / [Roteiro MNC – 5]

COCHE DE D.CARLOTA JOAQUINA

Spain, 1st half of the 18th century

Ceremonial vehicle. The exterior is decorated with black leather, with Spanish-style nailwork, while the flap doors feature a crowned shield with the Portuguese coat of arms. The side panel work is profusely decorated with castles, crowns and medallions showing mythological scenes.
This is another of the three vehicles brought to Portugal by Princess Carlota Joaquina de Bourbon, the daughter of Carlos IV of Spain, on the occasion of her marriage to the future King João VI.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. MNC 25 / [Roteiro MNC – 7]

BERLIN OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

France, second half of the 18th century

Ceremonial vehicle for use in the city. Built for the royal family, the box of this berlin is painted with the heraldic shields of the Portuguese royals.
In the Louis XV style, it has a box with a light green background, gilded borders with plant motifs and gilded woodcarving. Its handles, nailwork and buckles are made of chased bronze, while the curtains are of green silk. It is accessed via a hanging stirrup. A special support system for the box is deployed in the rear undercarriage.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. MNC 31 / [Roteiro MNC – 10]

BERLIN OF THE PATRIARCHATE

France, mid 18th century

Ceremonial vehicle. The box has a golden background in the style prevalent during the reign of King João V, and a leather and nailwork roof. The panels, painted against a light background, feature chainwork and garland decorations. The flap doors bear prelatic shields, with the oldest that of Dom Francisco de Sousa e Silva, head of the Patriarchate and later Cardinal Patriarch, from 1776 to 1786.
In the 19th century, the shield of the then-Patriarch, Dom Frei Patrício da Silva, was added.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. MNC 37 / [Roteiro MNC – 12]

CHAISE

TAYLOR, England, London, first quarter of the 19th century

Travelling vehicle The Imperial-style box has a green background and painted border featuring plumes and phytomorphic motifs; embellished with white silver rosettes, handles and lanterns. The folding hood is made of black leather. The interior is lined with button-tufted beige damask silk, with the seats, also button-tufted, lined with red leather. The box is accessed via a set of three fold-down steps. The suspension uses Daleme-style S-springs. This model first appeared in Germany in the 17th century
It belonged to the Viscount of Esperança.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STAB. OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. No. 3359 MUSEU DE ÉVORA / [Roteiro MNC – 13]

EYEGLASS CHAISE

Portugal, late 18th century

Travelling vehicle. Simple, comfortable carriage with a box that could be closed with black leather curtains, each with a circular peep window. The carriage was driven by the occupant or a coachman. This type of chaise had the advantage of making it easier and faster to travel about, while allowing the possibility of travelling incognito by closing the leather curtains, using a coachman or driving the carriage oneself. This chaise is similar to the vehicle in which King José I was attacked in 1759.
Chaises became particularly popular and were used as rental vehicles.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. MNC 49 / [Roteiro MNC – 14]

CABRIOLET

Portugal, 18th century

This promenade vehicle, made in Italy, was at the height of fashion in the 18th century. Box with two seats, with a gold-painted, plaited-look background decorated with a border featuring plumes, peacock feathers, a string of pearls and phytomorphic motifs. In the centre of the side panels are depictions of an angel holding a banner, while the rear panel bears the Portuguese coat of arms. The back of the cart has a seat for the page. Intended for carrying the young princes, it was guided by a coachman for safety reasons.
Used by the royal family at their Queluz, Mafra and Lisbon estates.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. MNC 51 / [Roteiro MNC – 15]

BERLIN

Portugal, 18th century

Ceremonial vehicle. The box features rocaille decoration and is painted with the coat of arms of Francisco de Lemos Pereira Coutinho (1735–1822), topped by a cardinal’s hat. The suspension of the box consists of leather straps stretched lengthways by a rotating gear, the 'cric'. The box is accessed via a hanging stirrup.
It belonged to Coimbra Episcopal Palace.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. MNC 7350 / [Roteiro MNC – 75]

LANDAU BELONGING TO KING PEDRO V

England, mid 19th century

Ceremonial vehicle. Black gilt-edged box with double folding hood, decorated with the royal coat of arms of King Pedro V, surmounted by a crown. At the rear is a box for weapons. The flap doors bear the Portuguese coat of arms, with mantle and crown. The monogram of King Carlos was painted at a later date. The circular lanterns are fashioned from metal. The undercarriage is black with red and silver accents. The suspension uses C-springs. The coachman’s seat, raised to the level of the roof, has a felt cover.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. PNA 50861 / [Roteiro MNC – 69]

THE ROYAL FAMILY CARRIAGE

England, mid 19th century

Ceremonial vehicle. Two-seater box with a yellow background, with flap doors bearing the royal coat of arms, topped by a crown flanked by an ermine mantle. The forecarriage has pincer springs. The carriage has two faceted lanterns surmounted by a crown. The coachman’s seat, raised to the level of the roof, has a red felt cover with trims and the Portuguese coat of arms, flanked by winged dragons, the symbol of the House of Bragança.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. PNA 50868 / [Roteiro MNC – 19]

LANDAU OF KING PEDRO V

I & J HOULDITCH, England, 1834

Ceremonial vehicle. The carriage has a folding black leather top, with small gilded decorations featuring the royal coat of arms. The interior is lined with red grosgrain silk. There is a box for weaponry. The black box, suspended on C-springs, is decorated with the coat of arms of King Pedro V, flanked by an ermine mantle, topped by the royal crown and surmounted with the king’s insignia. The monogram of King Carlos was added at a later date. Having originated in the German town of Landau, this type of carriage became highly sought-after for its elegance and due to the fact that it could be used in good or bad weather.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. PNA 50862 / [Roteiro MNC – 21]

GALA CARRIAGE

I & J HOULDITCH, England, 1834

Ceremonial vehicle. Two-seater coupé carriage, painted yellow, with a leather top decorated with small metal crowns. The flap doors bear the royal coat of arms with mantle and crown, together with the crowned monogram. It has ring handles. The wheels have C-springs. The coachman’s seat, raised to the level of the roof, has a double-framed red felt cover with fringing and trimmings, plus the royal coat of arms in gilded metal.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV. PNA 50867 / [Roteiro MNC – 60]

CHARABANC

THRUPP & CO., England, 1850

Sightseeing or hunting vehicle. Long vehicle with an open box, with four cotton-lined benches and straw backrests. Four lanterns, wheel brakes, rolling sunblinds suspended from the roof, fold-out running board to access the box and drawer platforms as footrests. This type of carriage originated in France in the early 19th century and to some extent performed the same function as a brake in transporting a group of people, usually in the countryside.
Made for Queen Maria II. It bears the painted monogram of King Carlos, the last monarch to use this vehicle.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
ROYAL STABLES OF KING JOSÉ I / INV PDVV / [Roteiro MNC – 24]

GALA CARRIAGE

TREMBLAY, France, 1815

Ceremonial vehicle. Two-seater coupé carriage with golden scroll decoration and a leather hood. The flap doors are painted with the coat of arms of the Dukes of Cadaval. The wheel suspension uses C-springs. The coachman’s seat has a triple-framed blue cover, topped with fringed silk trimmings and painted with its owner’s coat of arms lower down.
Acquired in Paris by the 6th Duke of Cadaval, it now belongs to the Countess of Schonborn.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STAB. OF QUEEN MARIA I(Pavilion I) / SCHONBERG COLL., on loan / [Roteiro MNC – 59]

GALA CARRIAGE

England, 2nd quarter of the 19th century

Ceremonial vehicle. Two-seater coupé carriage, painted yellow, with a leather top decorated with small metal crowns. It has a box for weaponry. The flap doors bear the monogram of King Carlos, painted at a later date, and crosshead handles. The wheels have C-spring suspension. The coachman’s seat is raised and has a double-framed red felt cover with a fringed trim and the royal coat of arms in gilded metal.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion I) / INV. PDVV / [Roteiro MNC – 61]

FOUR-WHEELED CHAISE

Portugal, late 18th century

Travelling vehicle. Vehicle driven by an outrider or the passenger himself, through the front windows. The wheel apparatus and the lower part of the box are painted beige. The flap doors bear the coat of arms of the Count of Boavista. It has a suspended iron stirrup and C-springs. This small, light carriage, often dubbed a rattletrap, was useful for long and short journeys alike.
It belonged to the Count of Boavista and later to the Viscount of Corte.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion I) / INV. MNC 87 / [Roteiro MNC – 54]

GALA CARRIAGE

England, 1st quarter of the 19th century

Ceremonial vehicle. Two-seater coupé carriage, painted gold, with a folding leather hood with small silver decorations. The curtains are beige and gilt. The flap doors bear the coat of arms of the Távora family. The wheels use C-springs. At the rear is a peep window and a box for carrying weapons. The coachman’s seat is raised to the level of the roof and covered by two cloths with silk fringing.
It belonged to the 1st Marquis of Valada.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion I) / INV. PNA 54370 / [Roteiro MNC – 57]

BROUGHAM OR COUPÉ

GOMES A S. ROQUE, Portugal, Lisbon, 19th century

City vehicle. Rounded two-seater box with a window at the front, painted black with beige fillets framing the windows, the undercarriage and forewheels. The flap doors bear coats of arms of the nobility, while the rear side bears a viscount’s crown. It has two bud-like lanterns. The undercarriage has semi-elliptical crosswork springs at the rear and elliptical springs at the front, with all of the wheels covered in rubber. Wheel brake at the side of the coachman. The access stirrup hangs from the box and comes down very close to the ground. The interior, lined with button-tufted beige fabric, has a bell-pull to alert the attention of the coachman, and ivory door handles
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion I) / INV. MNC 86 / [Roteiro MNC – 70]

PHAETON

France, 19th century

Country or town vehicle. Simple open-box carriage with four wheels, with two seats parallel to the axles and a hood for the driver’s seat. It was driven by the occupant. The suspension uses elliptical springs to the front and rear. A brake lever is on the right-hand side. The wheels are covered in rubber.
The name ‘phaeton’ comes from Greek mythology, in which Phaeton drives the chariot of the sun.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion I) / INV. MNC 95 / [Roteiro MNC – 28]

CHURRIÃO OR HEAVY CART

Portugal, 1914

Rural vehicle popular in southern Portugal. It has a rectangular platform with an imitation-wood canvas cover, in a tube-like shape. The cart’s shaft is connected to the yoke, a single unit with a bow on each side, to rest on two mules. The system does not involve tethers, but instead works based on the traction provided by the animal’s chest. The suspension uses elliptical springs. It is designed to be pulled by mules. The hood bears the year of construction, 1914. It has two lanterns and a wheel brake. The box is accessed via a hanging iron stirrup.
[On loan from Fernando de Sousa]
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion II) / INV. MNC 114 / [Roteiro MNC – 26]

BRAKE

F TEIXEIRA, Portugal, Lisbon, 19th century

Countryside vehicle. The exterior is painted yellow and black. The side panels of the coachman’s bench are painted with a coat of arms with five scallop shells on a blue cartouche, topped by a viscount’s crown and plumes. The vehicle has a brake lever to the right of the coachman’s seat, a mudguard, a pedal-operated bell, two lanterns and a folding stirrup for entering the carriage at the rear. The suspension uses elliptical springs. The wheels are covered in rubber.
It belonged to the Count of São Martinho.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
CAVALARIÇA D. MARIA I (Pavilhão II) / INV. MNC 110 / [Roteiro MNC – 34]

BRAKE

Portugal, 19th century

All-brown exterior, varnished wood with green friezes, brake lever and two lanterns topped by horse head decorations. Face-to-face seating for four people. The suspension uses pincer springs. It could be pulled by two or three horses.
It belonged to the Count of São Martinho.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion II) / INV. MNC 108 / [Roteiro MNC – 32]

GOVERNESS CART

Portugal, 19th century

Carriage for countryside trips. The cart is low in order to facilitate entry through the rear door. The poles do not rest directly on the box, but rather a complicated system of springs, so that the rocking motion of the trotting horse jolts the box as little as possible. The rounded exterior has balusters running all the way around it, and is lacquered black with red accents. The suspension uses elliptical springs. It was pulled by a single horse. It was designed to carry children and their governess, hence its name. The rounded shape and rear access protected children from falling or jumping from the cart.
It belonged to the Count of São Martinho.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion II) / INV. MNC 88 / [Roteiro MNC – 42]

TWO-WHEELED CHAISE

Portugal, 19th century

The box has two seats and two windows at the front. It bears the painted monograms and the coat of arms, topped by a hat, of Dom Francisco de Lemos Pereira Coutinho. An outrider would drive the carriage.
It belonged to Coimbra Episcopal Palace.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion II) / INV. MNMC 7345 / [Roteiro MNC – 55]

VELOCIPEDE

Late 19th century

Metal velocipede. Made in England. This was the first type of machine to be called a bicycle (i.e. with two wheels). The size of the front wheel is limited only by the length of the rider’s legs and the distance travelled by performing one rotation of the pedals. Such velocipedes became hugely popular with young men of means and were a must-have in the 1880s. The front wheel is 190 cm high. It has a handlebar with white grips and a spring saddle.
Photo: Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / Arquivo de Documentação Fotográfica (DGPC/ADF)
STABLES OF QUEEN MARIA I (Pavillion II) / INV. PNA 50947 / [Roteiro MNC – 66

Quick Links

Head Office

Casa de Massarelos, Estrada da Gibalta
2760-064, Caxias

+351 214 416 068
fcbraganca@fcbraganca.pt

Paço Ducal

Terreiro do Paço 7160-251, Vila Viçosa

+351 268 980 659 info.pdvv@fcbraganca.pt

Carriages

The Carriage Museum is spread across four buildings in the ‘Terreiro da Ilha’ area to the north of the Ducal Palace in Vila Viçosa.

Quick Links

Head Office

Paço Ducal

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