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Stud farm · Sežana, Obalno-kraška
Lipica Stud Farm
Stud farm founded in 1580 by Archduke Charles II of Habsburg, birthplace of the Lipizzan horse. The visit includes the oldest stable, the Lipikum museum, the carriage museum and the estate's tree-lined avenues.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Lipica Stud Farm
The Lipica Stud (Kobilarna Lipica) was founded in 1580 by Archduke Charles II of Habsburg to breed horses for the Vienna court and for the Spanish Riding School. The horses raised here, whose coats lighten to white with age, took their name from the place: Lipizzans. The stud presents itself as the oldest continuously operating stud farm in the same location in the world.
The estate covers pastures, woods and tree-lined avenues on the Karst plateau, a few kilometres from the Italian border. The guided visit, lasting about an hour, goes through Velbanca, the oldest stable, the visitor stables, the carriage museum, the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua and ends at Lipikum, an interactive museum about the stud’s history and Lipizzan breeding. The Avgust Černigoj gallery, with works by this avant-garde painter, is also part of the circuit.
On certain days and times you can watch training sessions and performances by the classical riding school. The stud also offers carriage rides along the avenues and riding lessons, for an extra fee. Lipica is open year-round, with reduced hours in winter.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour for the guided visit; three to four hours if you include the riding school training or performance, the museums and a walk through the avenues.
Best time
In the morning, when the horses usually go out to pasture and training takes place. The riding school performances are on specific days; check the calendar and times before you go.
How to get there
It is about 6 km from Sežana by road, toward the Italian border. There is parking at the entrance. Without a car, the options are taxi or bicycle.
Tip
Buy the ticket that includes the riding school training or performance, if it is scheduled that day: that’s when you see the Lipizzans in motion.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Lipica Stud Farm
When was the Lipica stud founded?
In 1580, by Archduke Charles II of Habsburg, to supply horses to the Vienna court.
What does the visit to the Lipica stud include?
The guided visit passes through the oldest stable, Velbanca, the carriage museum, the Church of Saint Anthony and the Lipikum museum. Training sessions and riding school performances have separate schedules.
Why are Lipizzan horses white?
Foals are born dark, and their coats gradually lighten with age until they become white, usually between 6 and 10 years old.
Is the Lipica stud farm open year-round?
Yes — with reduced hours in winter. Check opening times and the schedule of performances before you go.