Spanish Riding School, Vienna

Spanish Riding School, Vienna

The Spanish Riding School, also known as Spanische Reitschule, located in Vienna, is renowned worldwide for its longstanding tradition of preserving and practicing classical equestrian skills for over four and a half centuries. The school, likely founded by the Habsburgs in 1572, aimed to promote advanced horsemanship inspired by Spanish techniques. It's located at the original site, Emperor Maximilian's former residence, largely unchanged since 1729.

One of the school's most notable features is its association with Lipizzaner horses. These majestic animals are possibly the only horses globally that reside within an emperor's palace. The school primarily focuses on formal dressage training and imparts knowledge in the military tactics for which the Lipizzaners have been renowned since the time of Napoleon. Their performances continue to captivate audiences with their timeless charm.

The Spanish Riding School offers 70 to 90-minute public demonstrations in the Winter Riding School, a lavish structure from 1729. These performances, featuring exceptional horsemanship and music, have remained unchanged for decades and still captivate audiences. The Lipizzaner stallions, named after the Lipizza stud farm near Trieste, Slovenia, were created by crossbreeding Arab, Berber, and Spanish horses known for elegance and endurance. They start intricate step training at age three.

The interior of the school exudes elegance, featuring 46 columns, intricate plasterwork, chandeliers, and a coffered ceiling. The royal box and galleries for spectators grace the head of the arena. As riders make their entrance into the arena, it is customary for them to tip their hats in a gesture of respect to the portrait of Karl VI. The school courtyard is adorned with an equestrian statue of another emperor, Josef II.

Why You Should Visit:
If you're a horse lover, watching these incredible creatures is a must when in Vienna. But even you are not fond of horse shows, a guided tour (English/German) through the stabling and the riding arena with background information & details about the complex history and breeding system is worth a visit anytime.

Tip:
If you like horses, it is great to see them train in the morning.
If you want to see them jump, go for the actual show. Make sure to book tickets online in advance to skip the long queues.
If you drop into the (not too expensive) on-site cafe for a coffee, drink or snack, you can go out to the terrace, adjacent to which is a wooden enclosure where you can see the horses and their riders practice before the show - and that actually won't cost you anything.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Spanish Riding School on Map

Sight Name: Spanish Riding School
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria

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