Spanish Riding School

Lonely Planet review

The world famous Spanish Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule) is a Viennese institution truly reminiscent of the imperial Habsburg era. This unequalled equestrian show is performed by Lipizzaner stallions, a crossbreeding of Spanish, Arab and Berber horses. The horses were first imported from Spain (hence 'Spanish') by Maximilian II in 1562, and in 1580 a stud was established at Lipizza (hence 'Lipizzaner'), now in Slovenia.

A Lipizzaner performance is an absolute must for any hippophile (others may think it's a show with horses doing dog-tricks). These graceful stallions perform an equine ballet to a program of classical music while the audience cranes to see from pillared balconies while chandeliers shimmer above. The mature stallions are all snow-white (though they are born dark and turn white at age four) and the riders wear traditional garb, from their leather boots up to their bicorn hats.

Reservations for performances require bookings months in advance. Tickets can be ordered on the website; this is also the best source of information for the complicated arrangement of performance times. Cancellations sometimes occur: ask at the office as unclaimed tickets are sold around two hours before performances.

If you only want a few photos, try waiting to see them cross between the school and the Stallburg (stables), which usually happens on the half-hour.