Discover Lipica

The Lipica estate is the central attraction of the Karst region, and one of Slovenia’s main cultural monuments. In addition to the breeding of horses, Lipica is also a monument with over 400 years of cultural and natural heritage that was co-shaped in harmony between man and horse.

Origin of the name

The names Lipica and Lipizzan horse are related to the story of a linden tree, a species common to the Karst region. According to historical records, in the mid-14th century, a popular winery called “Pr’ lipci” (At the small linden tree) was located on the site of today’s Lipica Stud Farm, near the village of Lokev. That small linden tree gave the name to the settlement or the estate of the Bishops of Trieste, who set up a summer residence here, along with horse breeding facilities.

The Cradle of the White Horses

Lipica is the home of the Lipizzan horses and the biggest Lipizzan stud farm in the world. The beginning of its unique story dates back to 1580. The story of the world’s first stud farm for Lipizzan horses is also a story of pleasant experiences. Experience it in the company of over 300 white Lipizzan horses across more than 300 hectares of green space.

Lipizzan horses

The Lipizzan horse, one of the oldest cultural horse breeds in Europe and the world, has been developed at the Lipica Stud Farm since its foundation in 1580. Today, the Lipizzan horse is known mainly as a white horse. However, the horses we call white are actually mostly grey. Lipizzan horses are born dark, but they soon turn grey because of a mutated gene.