National Coach Museum

Overview

The Museu Nacional dos Coches houses the world's finest collection of royal ceremonial carriages, spanning the 16th to 19th centuries. A sleek modern building by Paulo Mendes da Rocha (opened 2015) displays the vehicles in dramatic, gallery-like spaces.

Highlights

• Pope Clement XI carriages: Three ornate Baroque carriages gifted by Pope Clement XI to King João V in 1716.
• Royal coronation coach: The gilded landau used for Portuguese coronation ceremonies.
• Building: Paulo Mendes da Rocha's Pritzker Prize–winning modernist design contrasts spectacularly with the ornate carriages.

History

The collection was assembled by Queen Amélia, who in 1905 opened the original museum in the Royal Riding School next door. The new purpose-built museum opened in 2015 to provide more exhibition space.

Visitor Tips

• Old riding school: The original building next door is included in the ticket and worth a visit for its frescoed ceilings.
• Close to Belém sights: Walk to the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.