Lipica

Lipica is a village in the Littoral region of Slovenia. It’s one of the main tourist centres of the Karst region, most famous for the Lipica Stud Farm. The name Lipica is derived from the Slovenian word lipa or “linden tree”, a national symbol of Slovenia. Located in a very picturesque setting, Lipica is a must-see destination when travelling to this part of Slovenia. It is home to the world-famous white Lipizzaner horses. The Stud Farm in Lipica has been in operation since 1580, which places it among the oldest in Europe. They used to breed horses for the Viennese royal court and mares can be seen grazing in the nearby meadows. The horses were originally bred white on the orders of Austro-Hungarian Empress Maria Theresa, but in reality, the Lipizzaner horses are born brown or black and turn white later. Another fun fact: Queen Elizabeth II was presented with a Lipizzaner as a gift on her only visit to Slovenia.