Page 111 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

Must See
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of Spain. As time goes by,
3 "'-= the coaches become more
Museu Nacional sumptuous, the interiors lined
dos Coches with red velvet and gold, the
exteriors carved and decorated
 D9 ⌂ Avenida da Índia
136 @ 714, 727, 728, 729, with allegories and royal coats
751 v 15 £ Belém # 10am– of arms. Three huge Baroque
6pm Tue–Sun ¢ 1 Jan, coaches made in Rome for
the Portuguese ambassador
Easter, 1 May, 13 Jun, 24 & 25
Dec ∑ museudoscoches.pt to the Vatican, Dom Rodrigo
Almeida e Menezes, Marquês
The Torre de Belém, The museum’s collection of de Abrantes, are the epitome
sitting at the edge coaches is arguably the finest of pomp embellished with
of the Tagus river in Europe. First established in life-size gilded statues.
the old Royal Riding School, Further examples of royal
the museum show cases a carriages include two-wheeled
unique and opulent collec tion cabriolets, landaus and pony-
of coaches, carriages and drawn chaises used by young
sedan chairs dating from the members of the royal family.
17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The 18th-century Eyeglass
The collection was moved to a Chaise, whose black leather
new, modern build ing by the hood is pierced by sinister
Brazilian architect Paulo eye-like windows, was made
Mendes da Rocha, winner of dur ing the Pombal era (p128)
the 2006 Pritzker Prize, in 2015. when lavish decoration was
The extra space enabled discouraged. The museology,
more modern vehicles to be installed in 2017, presents
added to the display. However, inter active displays that give
for most visitors the historic context to the collection.
royal carriages still steal the
show. Made in Portugal, Italy,
Open cloister in the France, Austria and Spain, Made in Portugal,
tower, designed to carriages range from the plain Italy, France, Austria
dispel cannon smoke to the preposterous. One of the and Spain, carriages
earliest is the comparatively range from the plain
simple 17th-century leather
King’s room and wood coach of Philip II to the preposterous.

Entrance

Gangway
to shore

INSIDER TIP
Aim High
Head to the former royal
residences at the top of
the tower to glimpse the
most ornate carvings.
Simple carvings adorn
the old ammunitions
store and prison rooms Opulent carriages
on the lower floors. exhibited at the Museu
Nacional dos Coches
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