Đakovo State Stud Farm Celebrates 520th Anniversary

On Thursday, the Đakovo State Stud Farm marked the 520th anniversary of its founding and 220th year of breeding Lipizzaner horses.

Individual tours of the *Pastuharna* (Stallion Station) are available, and a musical equestrian performance is being held in the indoor riding arena, alongside carriage rides on the stud farm's hippodrome.

At the same time, the area in front of the indoor riding arena hosts a fair featuring products from family farms as well as local handicrafts.

Admission to the stud farm is free for all visitors today, according to the state institution, which boasts a tradition spanning over half a millennium, with a local history of Lipizzaner breeding exceeding two centuries.

The Đakovo State Stud Farm is one of the oldest stud farms in Europe and stands as an invaluable living monument to Croatian history, tradition, and horse breeding. It was founded back in 1506. Alongside its 520-year history, the 220th anniversary of breeding Lipizzaner horses is also being celebrated.

Today, the stud farm is home to around 160 magnificent Lipizzaners, cared for across two historic locations in Đakovo and the surrounding area:

*Pastuharna* – located in the very heart of Đakovo, this is the site for horse dressage, training, and equestrian sports.

Ivandvor – located in the immediate vicinity of the town and surrounded by Slavonian pastures, this is where broodmares and their foals are kept.

Interestingly, the Đakovo Lipizzaners have captivated numerous world dignitaries throughout history. Thus, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, delighted by their performance at the opening of the 1972 Olympic Games, personally visited the Đakovo State Stud Farm.

Source: HRT