The Lipizzaner Stud offers a clear thematic starting point for a stay in Piber: the Lipizzaners and their history. Since 1920, Piber has been the birthplace of the famous Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School. Those interested in cultural heritage can plan their visit around the stud and choose other activities based on whether they want to focus on history, an active outing or a tour that takes in several places.
Lipizzaner breeding, history and museum
In 1920, the Federal Stud in Piber became the successor stud to the old imperial stud in Lipica. The year therefore marks not only the birthplace of the Lipizzaner stallions, but also an institutional change in the history of the stud. As a national intangible cultural heritage recognised by UNESCO, the Lipizzaner Stud in Piber preserves centuries-old knowledge about breeding and raising Lipizzaners.
The Lipizzaner Stud museum provides information about the Lipizzaners’ upbringing, lives and care at the stud and at the Spanish Riding School. While the history of the stud sets the historical context, the museum focuses on the horses and the topics related to their lives and care. When planning your visit, you can therefore decide whether to focus mainly on the history of the place or also on the Lipizzaners themselves and their care.
Visits and other activities
A visit to the stud can include the inner courtyard as well as historic carriages and sleighs in the coach house. So, in addition to the museum, there are specific places to visit at the stud. As details may change, check the latest information about what to expect before your visit.
Piber Climbing Park offers a different experience from the stud and museum, with more than 60 stations. If you would like to include an active outing alongside culture and history in your travel plans, you can add the climbing park as a separate activity. This gives you another way to choose the focus of your stay without treating a visit to the stud and an activity at the climbing park as the same experience.
Plan your circular route and journey
The Maestoso Circular Route connects Köflach, Bärnbach and the Lipizzaner Stud in Piber in a varied tour. A visit to the stud can focus on one place, while this route takes in three. When planning, you can decide whether to focus on the stud or choose a tour that takes in several places. If you are considering the circular route, check the route details before setting off.
The Piber Stud is generally accessible to visitors using wheelchairs. Because of slight inclines and the hilly terrain, a visit with a companion is recommended. Keep both points in mind when planning your visit: general accessibility and the recommendation to be accompanied go hand in hand.
One possible public transport route is to take the S7 S-Bahn to Köflach station, then the RegioBus 702 to the Piber Schloss stop. As routes and timetables may change, check your connection before departure. This way, you can include both modes of transport and the specified stop in your plans.
For the broader travel overview: Köflach.
