In Motion. Vehicles and Carriages of Patrimonio Nacional

The modern European states were consolidated in the 16th century, and the monarchy had a key role in exercising political power. Kings and Queens had to travel frequently to control and enforce their rule over vast territories, within a context of multiple conflicts. Marriage alliances were arranged to consolidate the power of certain dynasties, and for this purpose, royal persons or their representatives were often required to make long journeys.

The 16th and 17th centuries witnessed the development of the carriage, not only as a more complex means of transport to make journeys more bearable, but also as a result of changes in the etiquette governing the relationship between monarchs and their subjects.

Alongside these novelties, sedan chairs continued to be used, above all, by noblewomen and queens. Men however continued to ride on horseback, an activity reserved for noblemen and sovereigns.

The role of carriages in the symbolic representation of monarchical power reached its moment of splendour at the Baroque courts. The royal court was both a political reality and a cultural and social construct. Within this scenario built around the monarchs and royal power, there were many social groups with different interests and functions: the aristocracy, ministers, clergy, gentry, servants, secretaries, ambassadors and a long list of etcetera's. Very strict codes of conduct consolidated what was a highly hierarchical social structure.

Within the city and in its buildings, squares and avenues, an entire staging of monarchical representation was played out. It involved holding ceremonies, festivals and solemn entrances, with carriages in a highly visible role as reflections of the power and status of their owners. 

The use of horse-drawn carriages increased during the reign of Philip III (1598-1621) but their presence in cities underwent a significant expansion in the second half of the 17th century and throughout the 18th century across Europe.

During the last third of the 18th century, a number of technical innovations had emerged in England and spread throughout Europe. Improvements in suspensions with the introduction of S-shaped steel leaf springs and steel lances that increased their resistance, helped to boost the development of vehicles and coaches throughout the 19th century.

This period witnessed significant advances in vehicle design, such as the introduction of coiled and leaf springs and wheels with one-piece rims. They led to improvements in vehicle safety and comfort, as well as enhanced aesthetics. 

During this period, the older horse-drawn carriages of the Royal Stables were upgraded or replaced by more modern ones, but after the Peninsular War and the departure of Charles IV, there were few carriages that were fit for service. On the occasion of Ferdinand VII’s wedding with his fourth and last wife, Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies, three carriages were commissioned from the Madrid manufacturers Fernando Rodríguez, Julián González and F. Durán, attesting to their high levels of excellence and expertise: the Bronze Landau, the Mahogany Coach and the Royal Crown Carriage.

During the 19th century, the middle-class adopted many of the activities formerly reserved for nobles and royalty. Outdoor activities such as hunting, riding in horse-drawn carriage, and sports became increasingly popular amongst wider sections of society. Carriages diversified, and various types emerged in response to new uses: the break carriage and its numerous variants, the "char-à-bancs", victorias, barouches, etc. It was also during this period that children's traps, usually pulled by a dog, ram or pony, gained in importance and popularity. We should also mention the use of sledges in winter, vehicles that had already been in use for centuries.

The advent of the railways and later, the automobile in the 20th century, relegated animal-drawn vehicles to agricultural activities and in the case of carriages, to increasingly specific uses of symbolic importance.

During the reign of Alfonso XIII (1902-1931), coaches continued to represent the monarchy and were used in ceremonies such as the king’s wedding. They also continued to be used for the presentation of the credentials of new ambassadors, a practice that has been maintained to this day, following the general rules of etiquette established in the 18th century.

However, the automobile gradually established itself as the main means of transport. Alfonso XIII had been interested in motor racing as a sporting activity from a very young age. He played an active role in promoting the Spanish automobile industry, placing orders with the Elizalde workshops as well as being involved in the development of the Hispano-Suiza company, which built the "Alfonso XIII" model in his honour between 1911 and 1914.

Unfortunately, no cars from that period are held by Patrimonio Nacional, but it does maintain some important vehicles from the history of the automobile, such as the two Mercedes-Benz built between 1939 and 1942, usually exhibited in the Historic Hall of the Royal Guard in El Pardo, and where visitors can also see historical models of Rolls Royce, Cadillac and Harley Davidson motorbikes used in cavalcades to receive Heads of State or for solemn events of great importance.