Hidden within the walls of the Colecciu00f3n Museogru00e1fica de la Academia de Ingenieros lies a captivating history. This museum is intimately tied to the history of the Corps of Engineers. It was a pioneer in science state architecture public works and cartography in Spain America and the Philippines. The Colecciu00f3n Museogru00e1fica de la Academia de Ingenieros showcases this rich legacy.
The museum’s vestibule greets you with a model and aerial photograph of the Academy. It gives a quick sense of its size and layout. You’ll also see models of fortifications and bridges along with communication devices. A photograph of a Peugeot Phaeton automobile from 1898 stands out. This was the Spanish Army’s first vehicle. In 1903 it led to the creation of the Light Motoring Service and a Driver’s School. Above the photograph you’ll see a shield depicting Minerva. Its Latin inscription “Nunc Minerva Postea Palas” was the motto of the old Academy of Mathematics and Fortification in Barcelona. This is where military engineers trained in the 18th century.
The main museum is divided into six themed rooms. The room dedicated to the Academies’ history features four watercolors by P Serrano. They depict the Academy’s former locations in Alcalu00e1 de Henares Guadalajara and Burgos. A display case showcases the formal dinner service from the Guadalajara Academy. Made in 1850 by the Cartuja de Sevilla factory it adds a touch of elegance to the exhibit. The room also holds the former office of the Academy Director in Burgos. There are various photographs of academic activities in Burgos and Guadalajara.
The “large models” room is dominated by a painting by Antonio Maru00eda Esquivel. A lead figure diorama created by GD u00c1ngel Salto Dolla depicts the training depicted in the painting. Notable among the fortification models are “Giju00f3n and its port” from 1849. There are two “Blockaus” models from the Cuban War and one of the San Fernando de Figueras Castle. Three large models are especially noteworthy. The first shows the Penu00f3n and Plaza de Gibraltar in 1783. The second shows the entrance to the port of Mahu00f3n. This was the most important natural port in the Mediterranean. The third model recreates the fortified city of Cartagena de Indias as it was in 1741. That year British Admiral Vernon with the most powerful fleet Great Britain had ever assembled unsuccessfully tried to conquer the city.
The gallery of illustrious engineers showcases personal belongings of famous engineers. One remarkable item is a sapper’s helmet from 1803. The gallery contains portraits of engineers who made significant contributions to military or civil science or performed heroic acts.
The communications room holds a model of a “flying telegraph of the campaign”. This shows the first mobile optical telegraph system of the Army (1829). The 1870 optical telegraph was used in the wars of Cuba the Philippines Africa and even the Spanish Civil War. The “Hughes Electric Telegraph” from 1853 is a highlight. So is the Ericsson “Simultaneous Telegraphy and Telephony Table” from around the same period along with an Enigma cipher machine. Various field switchboards and field telephones are also displayed. One highlight is the B-70 the first wireless (microwave) telephone equipment.
The bridge room holds bridge models from the second half of the 19th century. They were part of the “Bridge Cabinet” of the old Guadalajara Academy. They served as teaching tools supplementing theoretical studies.
The railway and aeronautics room tells the story of the Railway Units created within the Army Troops in 1873. Several mid-20th-century railway models are here including a steam engine cab a longitudinal section of another engine and a model showing tracks stations signals and interlockings in use on Spanish railways a classic model from the 1960s. The room also features photos showing the early days of aeronautics in Spain. It began with the Aerostation which like aviation was developed within the Corps of Engineers (1884 for aerostation and 1911 for aviation).
Finally the historical library holds nearly 4000 books dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Subjects range widely including fortification architecture electricity electronics aerostation aviation telegraphy and railways. The Colecciu00f3n Museogru00e1fica de la Academia de Ingenieros is a treasure trove of history. It’s a living testament to the achievements of Spanish engineers and their impact on the world.