The Lipica Stud Farm has welcomed visitors to a refurbished riding arena following a €3 million renovation that is part of a drive to get the home of the Lipizzan horses in top shape for its 450th anniversary in 2030.

The arena, which is where the Lipica Riding School stages its shows for the public, has been given a new roof and a completely new manege. It has also been made more comfortable for the spectators.

Along with getting new electrical and other installations, the arena now also features an exhibition room where visitors may admire carriages used at what is the oldest continuously operating stud farm in the world.

Just over a year after the tradition of Lipizzan breeding made it on the UNESCO representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, an exhibition about this classic riding school has been renewed as part of the renovation.

As part of the 26 January inauguration ceremony, the manege show was for the first time accompanied by video content, which allows the spectators to get a peek behind the scenes.

They see how the horses are trained in preparing the show, along with shots of beautiful landscapes surrounding the farm, the stud farm's director Tatjana Vošinek Pucer said.

The director performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with President Nataša Pirc Musar and State Secretary Matevž Frangež from the Economy Ministry, which provided the funds for the renovation.

Pirc Musar noted the importance of the Lipica Stud Farm as a cultural monument, welcoming its renovation and describing the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage listing as "well-deserved".

She was glad that the inscription was prompted by eight countries, which means that they will work even more closely in the future. "This is great added value. In the past, there was a lot of rivalry and now they work together. This deserves high praise."

Frangež said the renovation of the riding arena marked half-way through an extensive investment cycle that started years ago with renovation of the estate's centre, the manor and most of the stables.

By 2030, when the farm celebrates its 450th anniversary, the Economy Ministry wants it to shine in all its glory. This year, the pool and wellness centre at the recently renovated Maestoso Hotel will be refurbished.