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The museum is located in what used to be the old Pemartín sherry warehouse, over 7,000 square metres in area. It was inaugurated on September 17th, 2002.
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The visitor begins the tour in the great forecourt, with a crystal clear water fountain, colours of the bougainvillea, olive trees and aroma of orange blossom.
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From this andalusian forecourt we can watch the horses on the lunge, in a central practice arena, and if you wish, sit down a while on the small row of seats provided for just that purpose. Then the visitor passes through to the main hall, sherry warehouse which still preserves its aromas and age. In this warehouse the twelve most significant carriages are on display, with their tack and lances. All perfectly accompanied by a multimedia system which seems to enlarge the collection and make it more expressive.
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The carriages are set out according to use. Thus the Sociable, hunting Break, Milord and Phaeton are surrounded by glass display units filled with harness ribbons and bells. Equipment used quite frequently here in Andalusia, where they originate.
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Whilst the Landó, Cab-Francés, Húngaro and Duque are surrounded by display units filled with English, Hungarian and Russian tack with which they were traditionally harnessed.
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Each carriage incorporates a completely interactive multimedia system in four languages (Spanish, English, German and French) which enables us to actively learn about the carriage, its tack, types of harness, its history, its anecdotes and uses and even the very carriage itself in virtual reality.
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The most important carriages in the collection, an 18th century Carretella and a Binder Hunting Break, are not only interactive but also equipped with a 50 inch plasma screen which allows us to witness the harnessed carriages in full activity.
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The screen for the Break shows the different manoeuvres of an exhibition arena, a ride through the gardens of the Royal School Foundation Palace and videos which recreate images of past moments in its history.
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The plasma screen for the Carretella allows the visitor to enjoy a ride through the streets of Seville during the wedding celebrations for the Duke and Duchess of Lugo.
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In the display cabinets next to the harnesses there are two more plasma screens which identify the different pieces of tack; one screen the Andalusian, the other English. Placed on the horses and these harnessed to the carriages.
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In the other corner of the room, opposite the Carretella, another surprising multimedia system immerses the visitor in the history and skill of Driving. A real Dog-Cat carriage harnessed to an iron horse.
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From the driver's seat two young ladies come to virtual life to explain "what Driving is" to the visitors, from Mesopotamia over 4,500 years ago to the present day here in Jerez de la Frontera.
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From the halls of the MUSEUM we then move on to the washing area where the horses are washed down, a job which always has to be done when the horses return from training.
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Opposite the washing area we come across yet another multimedia system, a stereoscope. The environment is three-dimensional reality, with virtual walls and floors. Here we witness 24 hours in the life of a carriage horse, night dreams during rest periods, training period and the performance itself... the whole experience lasting around eight minutes.
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We next move on to the stables, housed in another old sherry warehouse and twin of the main MUSEUM building where there are 44 boxes. Here 18 carriage horses are housed. Pure thoroughbred Spanish horses, with gleaming chestnut coats and all from the Royal School Foundation stock. There are also equestrian horses which make up the complete number of boxes. The visitor can see the horses up close, touch them and stroke them. On leaving the stables we pass through the working area where the horses are harnessed and prepared to leave with the carriages, also the place where the carriages and harness are cleaned.
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Once back in the forecourt, visitors walk through to another sherry warehouse known as “Bodega 1810”, the date it was built. The structure of the bodega, like the other two, has been preserved intact. This is the building which houses the rest of the collection, twelve carriages, some of them just as valuable and eye-catching as those in the main display. One such example is the "Manola", a carriage originating in Andalusia, used to travel from the country up to the city and vice versa. From the end of the 19th or beginnings of the 20th century. It is a convertible carriage, so that passengers may either travel protected from the cold and rain or in the open air. A system of rolling blinds was designed to this end. The roof may also be detached if so desired.
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This bodega is also used for training courses, presentations and other events.
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Next you can access to the ALAMBIQUE room where there is a permanent exhibition of the equestrian costume. This being the final stage of the tour.
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