Page 103 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Vienna

HOFBURG QU AR TER  101

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Michaelerplatz 1, A-1010. Map 5
C3. Tel 5339031. Open 9am–4pm
daily (visitor centre); perfor-
man ces at 11am Sat & Sun.
Closed 1 Jan, 6 Jan, 1 May,
Ascension Day, Corpus Christi,
15 Aug, 26 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Dec, 25 &
26 Dec (dates may vary). & ^
8 7 some areas. ∑ srs.at
Transport
% Herrengasse.@ 1A, 2A to
Michaelerplatz.

Portrait of Karl VI
An equestrian portrait of Emperor
Karl VI, who commissioned the
building, hangs in the royal box.
Whenever a rider enters the hall,
he must express his respect to the
founder of the school by raising
his bicorn hat to the portrait.
The Lipizzaner Horses
The stallions that perform their athletic feats on the sawdust of the
Winter Riding School take their name from the stud at Lipizza near
Trieste in Slovenia (see below), which was founded by Archduke Karl
in 1580. Today the horses are bred on the Austrian National Stud
Farm at Piber near Graz. Lipizzaner horses were originally produced
by crossing Arab, Berber and Spanish horses, and are renowned for
their grace and stamina. You may be able to obtain a ticket without
a reservation to see them at their morning training session.

Interior of the Winter
Riding School
The gracious interior is lined with
46 columns and adorned with
elaborate plasterwork, chandeliers
and a coffered ceiling. At the head of
the arena is the court box. Spectators
sit here or watch from upper galleries.

Capriole: this is a leap
into the air with a The Piaffe: the horse
simultaneous kick of trots on the spot, often
the hind legs. between two pillars.

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