Spanish Riding School
Vienna’s world-famous Spanish Riding School is a special treat for visitors to witness classical equestrian skills still practised in their original form. Lipizzaner stallions are the stars of the show here – known as the ballerinas of the equine world with their pristine white coats and precise movement in perfect harmony to classical Viennese music. Dating back to 1572 and part of the Hofburg Palace, the school encapsulates over 450 years of history and has been designated with UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.There are various ways to see the horses and their riders. An hour-long morning training session takes place in the glorious Winter Riding School and offers an insight into the training of riders and their Lipizzaners. You can see a mix of the young stallions – which are grey – and those fully trained, practising to music.The flagship exhibitions, where the stallions show off the full extent of their skills, include formal 70 and 90-minute gala performances. There are also tickets available to visit the Stallburg Stables, where you can get up close to the Lipizzaners and see how well they’re looked after – including their custom saddles and grooming kits. As long as there remains at least one brown Lipizzaner in the school, tradition says it will continue for years to come.
