460 years of Lipizzaner: An anniversary full of tradition and elegance

460 years of Lipizzaner: An anniversary full of tradition and elegance

The majestic Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna are facing a very special anniversary: ​​in 2025, the traditional institution will celebrate its 460th anniversary. Alfred Hudler, Managing Director of the Spanish Riding School and Stud Farm in Styria, expressed his joy about the recent birth of a new foal named Neapolitano Pastime, which was born on January 20, 2025. These moments of happiness are part of a long history that goes back to 1565 - the year in which the construction of a riding and tournament track at the Vienna Hofburg was documented.freizeit.at

The Riding School's stable castle, an impressive Renaissance palace, houses the stallions and is a true gem of Vienna's history. This special atmosphere is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands year after year: in 2024, the St. Michael's Wing was visited by 356,000 guests, which represents a positive development compared to the previous year. It is noteworthy that 13 percent of these visitors come from Austria. The performances presented at the winter riding school are among the highlights, with school jumps such as caprioles, canter pirouettes and pas de deux being shown.freizeit.at

Tradition meets innovation

In order to meet the challenges of modern times, improvements were implemented following criticism from the Court of Auditors: There are currently 66 stallions available for the shows, 18 more than five years ago. Comprehensive measures are planned for the anniversary year in the Stallburg, including the installation of a ventilation and fogging system as well as the greening of the courtyard. However, the renovation of the roof of the winter riding school will limit operations somewhat during the summer, which only increases the anticipation for the upcoming events.freizeit.at

If you feel like visiting, you can not only purchase tickets for the demonstrations and morning work, but also take part in guided tours and explore the architecture of the Stallburg. Particularly new to the program is the special tour “Legend Lipizzaner”, which is offered to mark the anniversary. If you are looking for somewhere to stay overnight, we recommend the “Imperial Riding School” in Vienna-Landstrasse.freizeit.at

The legacy of the Lipizzaners

The Lipizzaners, known as the oldest cultivated horse breed in Europe, have a very special connection to the region. Born in Piber, Styria, where the stallions for the Spanish Riding School have been bred since 1920, they are also the focus of a multinational submission for the recognition of Lipizzaner breeding as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.srs.at unesco.at

The historic stables and baroque castle in Piber invite visitors not only to admire the impressive horses, but also to enjoy the culinary delights in the café-restaurant. Whether guided tours of the stud farms, exciting carriage rides or child-friendly programs – a mix of traditional flair and modern leisure elements is offered here, which not only delights horse fans.srs.at

Due to the long tradition and cultural significance of the Lipizzaners, knowledge of their breeding has been listed in the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Austria since 2016. This heritage, which has been passed down orally from generation to generation for over 400 years, should now also be recognized internationally.unesco.at