Discover the Stunning Carriages and Must-Visit Carriage Museums

You might be curious about what life was like during the times when people traveled in carriages. These vehicles had wheels but lacked engines, they featured fancy upholstery but had no airbags. The elegance and sophistication seen in these carriages still captivate people today! However, it wasn’t merely a matter of how they rode—carriages represented social status and craftsmanship. They communicated to everyone your identity, your wealth, and whether you had a home to return to. While country buggies were simple and functional, urban fiacres gleamed with layers of varnish and wax. Festive carriages sparkled with golden details, included hanging lamps, metal handles, and sometimes even curtains or a beautifully upholstered ceiling. This rich variety is what makes them exciting artifacts for exhibitions and treasured collectibles today.

Despite the fact that we have long since replaced reins with steering wheels, the magnificent era of the carriage lives on. Carriages, fiacres, and landaures have transitioned from the roads to museums, castle storerooms, and various exhibitions. From time to time, you might still spot some of these carriages out on the roads, particularly during events like weddings or as historical attractions giving tourists a ride on charming cobblestone streets. Come and see them with “Which way out of boredom!”

Where to see carriages: museums and exhibitions in the Czech Republic

Next time you come across an exhibit featuring a carriage, try to envision yourself sitting in it, wearing a hat with a blanket draped over your knees and hearing the sound of horseshoes clanking. You may not be able to ride in these carriages any longer, but they will surely evoke a sense of nostalgia. Old carriages are not just beautifully polished pieces; they offer a glimpse into a time when every wheel had a name and every seat held a story. Here are some locations where you can fully appreciate the history of carriages:

• • For all carriage enthusiasts, a trip to the Museum of Historical Carriages in Bohemia pod Kosířem is a must. This specialized museum not only displays carriages but also works on their repairs and restorations, and occasionally even takes them for a spin. The museum showcases wedding carriages, funeral carriages, sports carriages, and other pieces that have made appearances in films and fairy tales. If you’re lucky, you might witness one in action during festivities or events right on the premises.

• • Český Krumlov Castle and Chateau are home to a golden carriage crafted in 1638 by John Anthony I, Prince of Eggenberg, with the expertise of Giuseppe Fiocchini and his workshop. This carriage, made of walnut and adorned with real gold leaf, along with iron parts coated in gilded silver, became the hallmark of the Prince’s splendid entrance into Rome. This exceptional Baroque masterpiece has seen a lot of travel: aside from Krumlov, it spent some time at Eggenberg Castle in Austria, was exhibited in the winter riding hall of Hluboká Castle from 1892 until the mid-20th century, and eventually made its way back to Krumlov. More than five and a half meters long, two meters wide, and three meters high, this carriage is considered one of the rarest historical artifacts in the Czech Republic.

• • Among the treasures of the Archdiocesan Museum in Olomouc is the ceremonial carriage of Bishop Ferdinand Julius of Troyer, which was used when he entered the town in 1745. The stunning carriage is made of gilt and dyed wood, brass, iron, leather, red silk velvet, and pink silk satin interwoven with gold, adorned with beautiful embroidery, gold embellishments, fringe, tassels, and oil paintings on both wood and canvas. Spanning 210 centimeters in width, reaching a height of 327 centimeters, and measuring nine and a half meters in length (including the scythe), this three-ton carriage is one of the remaining three Baroque ceremonial carriages in the Olomouc Archbishopric’s collection. Interestingly, the bishop purchased this carriage as a second-hand piece. It was originally owned by a representative of King Louis XV of France at the imperial court in Vienna, Duke de Richelieu; his coat of arms was discovered on the chassis during restoration. The bishop acquired the carriage from the Kinsky family in 1746 and had it refurbished and redecorated for his installation in Olomouc.

Moreover, you can also view more carriages from the bishops and archbishops of Olomouc at the castle in Náměšt’ na Hané, while smaller carriages can be seen at various other castles or the Postal Museum in Vyšší Brod. Although they may not be the main attraction, opening the gates of the castle stables is like stumbling upon a fairy tale waiting to be explored. The Museum of Historical Vehicles and Old Agricultural Technology in Pořežany, near Týn nad Vltavou, also offers a stunning display of such treasures.

From carriage to hearse

Carriages came in many shapes, sizes, and wheel counts, showcasing significant differences. Let’s take a moment to overview some of the grand carriages that once traversed the cobblestoned streets of cities and the dirt roads of rural areas.

• • Bryčka was a light, open carriage on either two or four wheels. Think of it as an 19th-century “station wagon”—often without a roof (or with a nice soft folding roof for better models), well-suited for fast trips from village markets. It was practical rather than ostentatious, yet still had a touch of elegance.

• • Faeton was a sporty, open carriage favored by young aristocrats. Its high wheels, light build, and absence of a roof made it ideal for scenic rides along the promenade, often accompanied by a stylish parasol.

• • Fiakr was a city carriage available for hire, similar to what we would call horse-drawn taxis today. In cities like Prague and Vienna, these fiacres were beautifully designed and elegantly painted, often seen transporting individuals to balls and theaters. Nowadays, you can still rent a fiacre with a dashing coachman in some cities.

• • Carriages or landaures were enclosed, extremely comfortable carriages with rich interiors that catered to longer trips or formal processions. They were typically outfitted with leather strap shock absorbers, cushioned interiors, and sometimes curtains. Essentially, they served as luxurious chariots where one could comfortably read the newspaper or sip tea.

• • The most magnificent and ornate were the ceremonial carriages, reserved for grand occasions such as coronations or the arrivals of notable figures.

• • Funeral carriages were specially crafted to accommodate coffins and floral displays. Often lavishly decorated with windows, fringes, lanterns, and sometimes an open canopy, these carriages became true works of art around the year 1900, featuring black lacquer, gold accents, silver trims, and richly upholstered insides. In some small villages, these carriages could be borrowed from each other, while larger towns typically had their own for such occasions. The journey to the afterlife has never looked so elegant!

A Transformation from Carriage to Automobile

Ignác Šustala (1822-1891) from Kopřivnice began as a humble craftsman specializing in the repair of carriages. However, he didn’t stop there; his workshop soon began producing carriages as well as horse-drawn vehicles, and eventually, his creations expanded to include more elegant carriages for the townsfolk and nobility. By 1870, with a talented workforce of 150 craftsmen, he managed to manufacture 1,200 carriages annually. In addition to carriages, he also made stagecoaches and specialized vehicles, like mail wagons, which were exported across Austria-Hungary. Founded in 1850, his factory produced the first passenger vehicle in Central Europe, the Präsident in 1897—marking the direct predecessor to today’s car manufacturer and Tatra brand. From carriages to luxury vehicles, and even the Dakar Rally—what a fascinating journey, isn’t it?

To learn more about this story, visit Kopřivnice and check out the Fojtství Museum. If you are curious about what happened next, the Tatra Truck Museum and the Passenger Car Museum provide further insights.

Interesting Facts About Carriages

• • Carriages have been constructed for thousands of years, with the last ones being made around 1920.

• • According to Václav Obra, the founder of the Museum of Historical Carriages in Bohemia pod Kosířem, creating or restoring a carriage requires the skills of nineteen different crafts. This includes carpentry, wheel making, upholstery, painting, and skills related to metal, wood, textile, leather, and wicker arts.

• • Many museum carriages have feature film appearances—such as in fairy tales like The Three Nutcracker Sisters for Cinderella, The Devils Are No Jokes, or various series set in the monarchy.

• • In numerous museums and horse farms, you can rent carriages for outings and weddings. Forget about limousines and have a wedding reminiscent of Jane Austen’s historical novels, complete with flowers in your hair and horses that trot gracefully adorned with beads and ribbons.