GEE UP! EL ESCORIAL ON HORSESHOE

This Collection takes place in the remaining part of the original site of Cocheras (the Old Royal Coach House) and aims to show the history, activities and development of the old buildings at the service of the Royal Family for a century, since they were built in 1772 until the second half of the XIX century, when after the Peninsular War some of those buildings were very much rundown and, at the same time, became useless as the new transport and communication network developed. The exhibition includes the courtyard, porch, gallery, then up the main staircase to the first floor of the most important original building that still exists, having been restored to its former glory.

This unique setting, exhibits, drawings and explanations take us back, enthralled, to the old times when the only way to transport people, merchandise and messages was using animals. All this came to an end when the first steam engine arrived at El Escorial (1861), the postage stamp came into use (1850) and the beginning of the telegraph, telephone and the automotive era.

The Collection area is divided in VIII Sections:

I. News
II. Journeys and routes
III. Coming to a halt
IV. Vehicles and equipment
V. Skilled workers needed for a journey
VI. Packing and unpacking
VII. Processions and walks
VIII. Woodlands and hunting