Imagine stepping back in time, right here before the Museo de Carruajes. This Madrid museum once housed an extraordinary collection of royal carriages. The Museo de Carruajes is located within the Campo del Moro gardens near Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto.
Designed by Ramón Andrada in 1960, the building comprises hexagonal modules. These modules allowed for potential expansion. The Museo de Carruajes formed an integral part of Spain’s Patrimonio Nacional. This organization manages properties once owned by the Royal House.
Inside the Museo de Carruajes, you would have discovered carriages belonging to the Spanish Crown. Some originated from the Royal Stables. Felipe II ordered the construction of these stables between 1556 and 1564. They served the old Alcázar de Madrid.
Among the Museo de Carruajes’ treasures were some very old pieces. The carriage of Juana la Loca and the hand litter of Emperor Charles I both dated back to the 16th century. Other prominent pieces included a black carriage carved from wood from the second half of the 17th century. There was also the sedan chair of Carlos III. Its panels were painted in the Rococo style by the Italian artist Corrado Giaquinto. The Berlina de la Corona built in 1832 was also featured. The carriage of the Marquesses de Alcántara gifted to Alfonso XIII in 1913 completed the collection.
Beyond carriages, the Museo de Carruajes displayed related equestrian accessories. Collections of silver clarions, saddles and tapestries would have been seen. These tapestries covered horses during official events. Spurs, stirrups and silver hardware added to the rich display.
Unfortunately, the Museo de Carruajes closed its doors to the public in the early 1990s. There are plans to exhibit its collection in the Museo de Colecciones Reales. This new museum is under construction near the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Before entering the Museo de Carruajes, take a look at the decorative bas-reliefs on the brick facade. Sculptor José Luis Cruz Solís created these. He allegorically represented means of transport, especially carriages. One relief shows a semi-nude male figure leading horses. They pull a quadriga represented by two seven-spoke wheels. Cruz Solís, a professor at the Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes de Madrid, completed this work in 1967. The stone sculpture measures 2.2 x 3.8 x 0.3 meters. The artist’s signature is incised on the base.
Though currently closed, the Museo de Carruajes represents a significant part of Madrid’s royal history. Its future relocation promises a new chapter for these remarkable artifacts. As we continue our tour, remember the craftsmanship and history preserved within this building.