Army Museum. Thematic tour. Floors T1 and T2

Climb to historical tour: courtyard of Charles V

To continue the visit through the historical tour, the H1 floor, the imperial chapel, the courtyard of Charles V and the imperial staircase, click [here.](https://my.mpskin.com/es/tour/wbgtbw4px)

7.- Saxony porcelain "Declaration of Love"

Decorative piece that represents the triumphant goddess Venus accompanied by putti and nyphnas emerging from the sea in her chariot. This type of porcelain, also known as "Meissen" porcelain, is considered the first produced in Europe whose manufacture began in 1710.

29.- Red and yellow flag

Flag of the First Battalion of the Soria Infantry Regiment No. 9. Through the Royal Decree of 1843, Isabel II declared the red and yellow flag official for the Army, replacing the white ones used until then. Proof of this are the three new flags that the Soria Regiment received in 1844. We are faced with one of them that sports the tie of San Fernando, a distinction for its presence in the siege of Bilbao in 1836.

22.- Model of the destroyed Alcázar

This model faithfully reflects the state in which the Alcázar of Toledo was left in September 1936 after the bombings and blasting to which it was subjected. It is covered by a methacrylate structure that reproduces the original volumes of the building with its four towers in the corners.

2.- Model of conical bronze mortar "Tetuán"

This piece belonged to General O'Donnell and was made in the Madrid Precision Artillery Workshop with the bronze left over from having cast the lions that preside over the Congress door in Madrid. In turn, these sculptures were cast with the cannons captured in the African War of 1859-1860.

3.- Jacket of Captain General Gutiérrez de la Concha

T12 Portable Firearms

16.- Kin-Hoa Bell

Large bronze bell, whose sound is obtained by the percussion of a large piece of wood suspended horizontally and perpendicular to the instrument. The body of the bell is shaped like a tulip and the suspension ring is an artistic dragon. Its origin must be a Buddhist temple or pagoda located inside the fortified area of ​​Kin-Hoa, Conchinchina. It was captured and brought to Spain by troops who participated in the 1857-1862 campaign in support of the colonial interests of Napoleon III.

T13 Edged weapons

22.- Model of the destroyed Alcázar

This model faithfully reflects the state in which the Alcázar of Toledo was left in September 1936 after the bombings and blasting to which it was subjected. It is covered by a methacrylate structure that reproduces the original volumes of the building with its four towers in the corners.

4.-Gal uniform

Full dress uniform of a soldier of the Lusitania Cavalry Hunter Regiment. Clothing for ceremonies and special events belonging to the Regulations of 1909. The kalpak is placed on the head, with a duster and the curious emblem of the body, the skull. This unit, created in 1709, participated in the battle of Madonna del Olmo, Italy, as part of its intervention in the War of the Austrian Succession in the mid-18th century. In the victory, only a third of the regiment survived, earning them the nickname "Dragons of Death." For this feat, Philip V granted them the use of the skull with the crossbones that we see represented.

31.- Spanish shotgun with transportable bait key

Copy that has this new firing system, attributed to the English. However, Spanish manufacturers developed this technique at the same time, highlighting the Zuloaga saga of royal gunsmiths. At the top of the stocks, you can read "HERRA" "DURAS", a mark indicative of the high quality of the metal since the 17th century. It indicates its origin from horse and mule hardware, which gave it a special hardness.

26.- Machine gun

Christophe et Montigny machine gun, model 1873, mounted on a mount and with the external appearance of a field cannon, it is actually made up of 19 small cast steel cannons, joined together and covered by a cylinder. Therefore, it is, in itself, a cannon that allows a large number of projectiles to be fired simultaneously.

13.- Japanese armor

Samurai armor, or warrior from ancient Japan, Dô-Maru type, which protects and provides spectacularity and theatricality in combat. It belongs to the Edo period, a time in which there was a tendency towards simplicity of forms and ornamentation with a sense of homage, losing its use for combat. The inscriptions that run through these pieces turn them into talking objects, allowing us to know the date of production, the master gunsmith it commemorates and the families it honors.

T4 Romero Ortiz Museum

11.- Daguerreotype of Ramón Cabrera

It is the oldest piece in the museum's Historical Photography collection, dating from 1852. It shows the Carlist general Ramón Cabrera y Griñó, who went into exile in London where his portrait was made. It is a notable example of a daguerreotype, the first topographical procedure that was widely accepted among the bourgeoisie of the time. The image was made on a silver plate, obtaining a positive and unique image that could be colored.

T7 Decorations

5.- Portrait of Antonio Romero Ortiz

Portrait of the creator of this collection, located before the entrance to the room. The character appears silhouetted against a neutral background, reminiscent of the sculptural models of medallions with busts of the 19th century. The badge of the Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Order of Carlos III is displayed on the lapel.

T10 History of artillery

T3 Collection of the ducal house of Medinaceli.

T5 Historical photography

Climb to historical tour of floor H1

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28.- Colonel flag

Colonel flag of the First Battalion of Volunteer Shooters of Murcia (1808-1809). This battalion, also known as the "Leyva shooters", was created in 1808. Its colonel flag was blessed by the bishop of Murcia, and it displays the royal coat of arms, the insignia of the "Very Noble" and "Very Loyal" city of Murcia. and the inscription "BY FERNANDO VII". Taken by the French after the surrender of Zaragoza, it was not returned to Spain until 1823.

Access to the T1 floor [by clicking here](https://my.mpskin.com/es/tour/ph5pedpyhq)

T1 Origins of the museum

23.- Bombarda Rod

Spanish bomber dated to the mid-15th century. Made of wrought iron, it is three meters long and weighs almost two tons. The piece was located in Tudela, Navarra, at the entrance to the bridge over the Ebro River, which is why it is known as "the shot from the Tudela bridge."

T8 Miniatures

S11 The flags

18.- Decorations from the reign of Alfonso XIII, Morocco.

The centenary of the War of Independence was reflected in a series of gold, silver and bronze medals, known as Centennial Medals, awarded to the descendants of the heroes and the participants in the commemorative events. The Moroccan war began in 1909 with the Rif Campaign. As a reward for these operations, the Melilla Medal with pins was created in 1910 in commemoration of military actions. When the area of ​​action was expanded to Ceuta, Tetouan and Larache, the African Medal was created in 1915, which in 1916 was renamed the Moroccan Military Medal. To commemorate the end of military actions in the Protectorate of Morocco, the Moroccan Peace Medal was established in 1927.

T3 Collection of the ducal house of Medinaceli.

1.- Portrait of Lieutenant General D. Joaquín Navarro Sangrán

Valencian soldier and aristocrat of the late 18th century and early 19th century, he was the first director of the Royal Military Museum, origin of the current Army Museum. He wears a blue lieutenant general's uniform with artillery emblems on the collar.

[Upload to floor T2 here](https://my.mpskin.com/es/tour/ph5pedpyhq)

12.- Arab vase from the Alhambra

Positive on albumen paper attributed to Gustave de Beaucorps, a French aristocratic traveler interested in archeology and Islamic art. It is a study composition in which the well-known "Vase of the Gazelles" from the Alhambra in Granada stands out.

32.- Pappenheimer type sword

Bladed weapon widely used during the 16th and 17th centuries. Its use stands out during the Thirty Years' War where it received its name thanks to the Count of Pappenheimer. This sword is identified by its unique handle, made of two interlocking openwork shells, which provides the wielder with greater protection and at the same time makes it lighter compared to previous models. Dated in 1580, it is signed by the famous Toledo swordsmith Juan Martínez.

T6 Ethnographic heritage

6.- Joloan armor (Philippines)

Defensive armor used by the chiefs or dattos of the Island of Joló (Philippines) of clear Spanish influence and made with carabao antler, embossed silver, metal and chain links, with small curvilinear decorative motifs.

9.- Half armor

Half armor and gala headdress belonging to Gomes Suárez de Figueroa, III Duke of Feria, important politician and military man of the reign of Felipe IV. The set is a symbol of power and military authority. It stands out for its iconographic decoration in gold and silver on steel. It features the symbols of the Duchy of Feria: the five-pointed star, the ducal crown with two crossed palms and the F. The set is completed by the general's sash in embroidered red silk, the only preserved example from the 18th century, and the rich breeches. .

20.- José Tello Collection

When the use of lead was relegated, other materials such as wood were used in the construction of miniatures. The almost 350 figures in the Tello collection, hand-carved and donated to the museum in 1945 by their author, are good proof of this. They represent the evolution of the uniformity of the Spanish Army from Antiquity until 1943.

17.- Order of Military Merit

It was created by Isabel II in 1864 to reward those actions of value and distinguished merit that did not reach their maximum degree. Two badges were established: red to reward war services and white for special services. In 1868 the Silver Cross was created for Troop Classes and in 1878 five classes were established: Silver Cross, 1st Class Cross from Cadet to Captain, 2nd class up to Lieutenant Colonel, 3rd class for Colonels and 4th class o Grand Cross for General Officers. In 1889, the pensioned crosses appeared, distinguishing themselves from those previously established as honorifics, by having bars on their arms of the cross. In 1970 and in the 1976 Regulations the numbering of classes changed, and in 1995 it lost the category of Order.

15.- Tatanua Mask

Funerary or deceased mask-helmet typical of New Ireland, Melanesia, Oceania, made of wood, plant fiber, feathers and fabric. These masks are the center of ceremonies in which the cult of the dead is combined with initiation and fertility rites.

T9 History of the Alcazar

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T2 Uniformity of the Spanish army

27.- Colonel flag

Colonel flag of the Royal Artillery Regiment (1749-1762) With the royal flag in the center, its decoration stands out with artillery themes consisting of a series of embroidered trophies. This Regiment created by Philip V in 1710, participated in the Italian campaign of the War of the Austrian Succession. Upon its return in 1749, the regiment needed to provide itself with new flags, and this colonel flag was manufactured.

30.- Republican flag

Republican flag of the African Hunters Battalion No. 4. With the suspension of the Monarchy and proclamation of the Second Republic in 1931, the new official flag and symbol of the new Regime became the tricolor. It is made up of three stripes (red, yellow and purple), in the center the shield with the mural crown and the embroidered inscription of the battalion name.

19.- Army of Isabel II, queen of Spain

Parade of troops of Queen Elizabeth II, with the model of the Royal Palace in the background. It was made between the 60s and 70s, and belonged to the Joaquín Pla Dalmau collection. It has more than 3,500 pieces manufactured by minitourist José Almirall. The scene simultaneously presents the main regiments existing in the Elizabethan reign, between 1830 and 1868. During this period, the changes and innovations that the army experienced are significant, from uniformity or flags to artillery. The great miniaturist Lucio Sáez Alcocer created the outstanding figures of the composition, such as Isabel II and the king consort Francisco de Asís, and up to thirty Elizabethan generals such as Castaños, Prim, Espartero, Narváez and O'Donnell.

14.- Mexican armor

Mexican armor dated 1601. Attributed to a Mexican chief, it represents the so-called cuauhpipiltin or eagle warriors. These soldiers are part of the warrior elites of the ancient Aztec Empire. The clothing is made from steel sheets emulating the skin of the bird.

10.- Ship model "San Rafael"

Model of a 92-gun ship from the 18th century related to the construction of a full-size vessel sponsored by the Dukes of Medinaceli. Its three bridges, or floors above the floating area, and the ninety-two cannons that occupy them made it a decisive example in naval combat.

25.- Caliber

Calibration system for artillery projectiles manufactured at the Maestranza de Artillería in Barcelona at the beginning of the 19th century. It is used to establish the diameter of the projectiles and adapt them to the caliber of the piece. It obeys the parameters of the first ordinances to standardize the manufacture of cannons and ammunition.

21.- Harley-Davidson motorcycle

Harley-Davidson motorcycle, model VD 1935 Big Twing 1200 cc with sidecar Frame number 35VDS 1371. It is one of the two motorcycles that remained inside the Alcázar during the siege of 1936. The lack of energy in the supply forced its use as an electrical source to power communication instruments and the wheat mill to make bread.

Exit

T3 Collection of the ducal house of Medinaceli.

24.- Culebrina

Extraordinary culebrina Our Lady of Guadalupe. Piece weighing more than six tons, with a reduced caliber and great length, cast in Lima in 1660 that arrived in the Iberian Peninsula in 1803. Among its important decoration, the two large winged snakes on the handles or the reliefs with shields stand out. of two viceroys of Peru, the count of Alba de Liste and the count of Santiesteban.

10.- Ship model "San Rafael"

Model of a 92-gun ship from the 18th century related to the construction of a full-size vessel sponsored by the Dukes of Medinaceli. Its three bridges, or floors above the floating area, and the ninety-two cannons that occupy them made it a decisive example in naval combat.

8.- Jousting and barding harness

Incomplete jousting harness and barding of the Duke of Alcalá de los GazulesThis garrison composed of armor and horse guard is an example of the defensive elements used in chivalric jousting. Made with original pieces of different harnesses, it also presents additions from the 19th century. The equestrian armor, barde, depicts two circular medallions with four-story castles, the motto used by the duchy of Alcalá de los Gazules.

Access to flags and artillery history

Museum Firearms Collection