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Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_04April_1 - Index

NATUrALtrails
The Lipica Stud Farm is kidney-shaped and surrounded by a karst
dry stone wall which has been preserved for centuries. At more
important entrance points there are trees planted on either side
of the road and designed portals indicating an entrance to the
estate. Today, there are fences on the road sides to prevent the
horses from accessing traffic roads. In more than four hundred
years, a distinctive form of cultural landscape varying from its
surroundings has been formed here. In the past this was always
a green oasis in an area of barren karst landscape.
Lipica can now successfully operate only with the help of state
aid, which is not unusual, since its entire history has more or
less been marked by control by the state to which it belonged.
Today, many civil society groups are expressing their concern
for the preservation of Lipica. Among them is the International
Association for Lipica, which recently decided to issue a special
picture-book about the place for young people. They are also
trying to arrange for a copy of the Walt Disney film ‘The Miracle
of the White Stallion’ to be brought, finally, to Slovenia. The film
was made in 1963 and is about what the American army did after
the Second World War to save the breeding herd of Lipizzaner
horses. For reasons unknown, this film has never been shown in
Slovenia. The film talks about the whole rescue operation of the
horses as a miracle. In general, it can be concluded that it is a
miracle that, after all the turbulent historical events which have
occurred in centuries past, the Lipica Stud Farm even exists!
NATIONAL SPATIAL PLAN
A national spatial plan for the organization of Lipica was
formulated more than twenty years ago, but it is only now that
its implementation has really started. On the highly protected
area, measuring 260 hectares, new building is prohibited, and
only renovation and repair are permitted, notably of the old dry
stone walls and fences. There will be some alterations made to the
existing tourist facilities. Nothing is said about the planned golf
course anymore; but there is an impact analysis of the existing
course on the karst in preparation and it is expected that the Karst
Research Institute from Postojna will soon provide an estimate.
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In accordance with the new plan, the entrance to the stud
farm area will be reorganized, a different strategy of horse and
heritage presentation will be introduced, and the restaurant
and boiler house will also be altered. On most of the buildings,
solar collectors will be installed, and stable manure will be used
for heating, since fewer and fewer farmers buy it. A new main
entrance is planned outside the protected area, in the vicinity
of the former Lipica border crossing, where a bigger car park
for buses and private vehicles will be arranged. Visitors will be
able to walk to Lipica from the car park or be driven in carriages.
From the new main entrance, visitors will first see neatly arranged
pastures with typical oaks and then the old stables, the castle
with the Avgust »ernigoj Gallery, the Lipizzaner-Museum and
the Carriage Museum. Then there is the courtyard (borjaË), with
the mares and stallions, the Velbanca Stable, with the most elite
Lipizzaners, as well as a covered paddock and a hippodrome. The
road from the new entrance and reception is intended only for
pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages. There should be no cars
or advertising; there will be only boards explaining about Lipica
and its history.
Lipica will also become a real equestrian centre, where both
horses and riders will be taken care of. The latter will be able
to enjoy the existing Klub Hotel, which is to be renovated. In
addition, a centre for expert meetings and consultations will be
arranged in the old castle, as well as an educational centre for
training horse veterinary specialists, where Lipizzaner owners’
and horse fanciers’ meetings, etc. will be held. The old mansion,
with some arranged castle gardens on the outer side, will also
host weddings and protocol receptions.
The administration board of Stud Farm Lipica has enough plans
for the future. However, the preservation of this exceptional
cultural monument of world importance in its original form is
doubtless in the first place. The same applies to the financial
stability and favourable business operations of the institution.
Lipica is supposed to unveil its renewed image as early as 2010,
on the occasion of the 430th anniversary of the only great royal
stud farm in Europe.