HARAS DE LIPICA

The stud farms of this tiny village (130 inhabitants) attract tourists and horse lovers to visit the stables under the guidance of the guide. With love, the riding master will share his passion with you, with a French-speaking guide offered if booking 3 days in advance.

The Lipica stud farm, one of the oldest in the world, is the cradle of the Lipizzaner horse: it gave birth to the Lipizzaner breed of horse, one of the oldest breeds of equine culture. Founded on May 19, 1580, when Archduke Charles II of Austria (son of Emperor Ferdinand I of Habsburg) bought the Lipica estate from the Bishop of Trieste, the stud farm soon afterwards began to cross the Karst horses with Spanish, Italian and Arabian breeds of horses, giving birth 200 years later to a new breed of horse: the Lipizzaner breed.

The name of these horses, and that of the stud farm, are linked to the history of the linden tree (lipa in Slovenian) which has become over time one of the symbols of the Slovenian nation. The name of the locality, Lipica (Slovenian for 'little lime tree'), is also the origin of the name of the breed of Lipizzaner horses. The creation of the Lipizzaner breed is rooted in the development of classical dressage: the stud farm bred Lipizzaner foals for the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna and for the Austrian Court until 1915.

Today, the Lipica stud farm is home to more than 350 Lipizzaners and is one of Slovenia's most remarkable cultural and historical monuments. It is also, in many ways, an exceptional destination of world renown. The stud farm is in the process of being included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Visitors can discover the historical heart of the stud farm all year round during guided tours, or on their own thanks to the mobile application "Guide de Lipica". The entrance ticket gives access to all the attractions during the stud's opening hours. From April to October, official shows and training sessions of the Lipica Classic Dressage School are on the programme, but visitors must pay an additional fee to attend. It is possible to take a horse-drawn carriage ride along beautiful tree-lined paths, while families with children will have the opportunity to take part in suitable programmes.

In prospect, an unforgettable visit to one of the most famous stud farms in the world. For the record, even Queen Elizabeth II has been there!