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Jan 1, 1560
The beginning of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna
Construction plans for the Stallburg, undoubtedly Vienna’s most valuable Renaissance building, date back to the year 1559. The actual court stables were completed in 1560 and additional building work was carried out during the years 1565-1569. Originally the “Maximiliansburg”, as the Stallburg is also called, was intended as the official residence of Maximilian II; however, when he ascended the throne in 1564 the building was not quite ready and he moved into the old Imperial Palace. -
Period: Jan 1, 1560 to
The History of the Spanish Ridning School of Vienna
Through out the history of the school, wars have threatened the school. It have been saved everytime and has held to the highest standards through out history. -
The riding hall was rebuilt after the Ottoman Wars.
In 1729 Emperor Charles VI commissioned the renewed construction of a riding hall. In 1735 the famous building designed by Josef Emanuel Fischer von Erlach was completed. It has retained its original form to this day and is considered the world’s most beautiful riding hall. -
Vienna is the only place where the High School of Classical Horsemanship exists
The Spanish Riding School as it is known today exists since the 19th century. The Congress of Vienna (1814 – 1815) and its international guests brought an abundance of new impulses. With the exception of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars resulted in the closure of all the European establishments which had until then practiced the art of classical horsemanship. Vienna has been the only place where the High School of Classical Horsemanship exists -
Spring of 1945 Patton rescued the Lipizzan Stallions from the Germans.
The rescue of the Lipizzans by the United States Army, made famous by the Disney movie Miracle of the White Stallions, occurred in two parts: The United States Third Army under the command of General George S. Patton, was near St. Martins in the spring of 1945 and learned that the Lipizzan stallions were in the area. -
The Riding School performs its first exhibiton.
On May 7, 1945, Podhajsky put on an exhibition of the Spanish Riding School stallions for Patton and Undersecretary of War Robert P. Patterson, and at its conclusion requested that Patton take the horses under his protection.[ -
400th anniversary of the Riding School
In 1964 Colonel Hans Handler succeeded Colonel Alois Podhajsky; under his directorship the School celebrated its 400th anniversary in 1972. -
1st Woman to Direct the School
In 2001 the Spanish Riding School and the Federal Stud Piber were merged into one legal company and separated from the federal administration. For the first time since its foundation the School’s Managing Director is a woman: Together with her Commercial Director Erwin Klissenbauer Elisabeth Gürtler manages this traditional establishment. -
First time 2 young women are allowed to ride in the school
On September 9th, 2008, for the very first time in its existence, two young women started their training with the Spanish Riding School. -
To present time
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna holds exhibitions through out the world. World War 2 veterans have held an honored place at these exhibitions for rescuing the horses from the germans.
