Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is a Baroque riding hall on Michaelerplatz inside the Hofburg complex, the former residence of the Habsburg dynasty in central Vienna. It was designed by architect  Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach and it is the only institution of its kind where classical equestrian art has been practised for 450 years in the Renaissance tradition of Haute Ecole. Throughout the year, visitors can observe the training of the Lipizzans during the morning exercises. It is also possible to visit the afternoon performance of the Lipizzans where visitors can watch a performance of the High School of Classical Horsemanship and enjoy the Ballet of the White Stallions. Advance booking is necessary, as tickets are usually sold out quickly. The most expensive tickets are for the evening gala performance which finishes with the famous “School Quadrille”, consisting of 8 riders. The show is accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic and is known as “A Tribute to Vienna”. In the afternoon, visitors can also take a peek into the backstage of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The tour starts in the Winter Riding Hall with crystal chandeliers, then continues in the Summer Riding Hall in the Hofburg courtyard, and the highlight of the tour is the Renaissance Stallburg with historical stables. In is not recommended to visit the Spanish Riding School by car, as there are poor parking options.