Lipica

Lipica (Italian: Lipizza) is a village in the Municipality of Sežana in the Littoral region of Slovenia, close to the border with Italy.

Lipica is one of the main tourist centers of the Slovenia's Karst region. It is the origin of the Lipicanec (Italian: Lipizzaner) horses. The Lipica stud farm was established in 1580 by Charles II, Archduke of Inner Austria (son of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor). Today the stud farm is fully functional and breeds the finest horses for haute-école riding. The stud farm now also includes a hotel and leisure complex, a modern adjunct to a historical setting.

The name is derived from the Slovenian word lipa 'linden tree', which is common in the area and is national simbol of Slovenia. The staff at the Lipica stud farm plant a new linden tree for every foal born, with the local epithet 'Lipa, Lipica, Lipizzana'.

Read more about Lipica:  History of The Lipica Stud Farm, The Lipica Open