Below the covered access passage from Michaelerplatz is the entrance to the Renaissance stables, built shortly after the mid-16th century and still used for its original purpose as a stable connected to the imperial court. You might see the snouts of the horses poking out from the noble arches of the courtyard.
These are the famous white horses native to Lipica, Slovenia, now trained in the small town of Piber, in Styria. Their skilled acrobatic performances, accompanied by music, are one of the most iconic images of Vienna.
The tradition of importing and breeding show horses dates back to 16th-century Spain, hence the name "Spanish Riding School".
An entire wing of the Hofburg is named after the riding school, and houses the splendid Winter Riding School, built around 1730 by the famous architect Fischer von Erlach. This grand, pure white room consists of a sumptuous Baroque hall, over 50 meters long and about 20 meters wide. Around the central arena runs a classic arcade under which the seating for the spectators is arranged, topped by an upper tier with a balustrade also used by spectators. On one of the short sides is the imperial box.
In summer, training takes place outdoors, and a quiet inner courtyard of the Hofburg is used as a riding school.
For lovers of horses, a Spanish School performance is an unforgettable experience. Finding a seat is not easy, but you can attend the morning training sessions, which take place Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon; or you can just watch the magnificent horses trot quietly down the street, between the stables and the riding arena.
An interesting fact: Due to its size, the winter riding hall, which is mainly used for equestrian performances, was also used in the past for court parties, meetings of the Congress of Vienna, concerts, and even meetings of the constitutional assembly, granted by Franz Joseph after the 1848 uprisings that broke out in various parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Language: English