Lipizzaner Alpine Pasture return- Köflach

After more than three months on the Stubalm, the one- to three-year-old Lipizzaner stallions return to their stables in Piber on September 12, 2026. The horse convoy covers around 20 kilometers from the alpine pasture down to the valley. The traditional Almabtrieb connects horse culture, tradition, music, and regional cuisine at several event venues in the Lipizzaner homeland.

A first highlight is the adorning of the stallions at the Gasthaus Wiendl in Maria Lankowitz. There, the horses receive colorful summer flower bouquets before the ceremonial blessing of the horses takes place at the Schlossplatz. Following that, the convoy continues to Köflach. Led by the Musikverein Gestüt Piber, the festive procession moves through the city center to the town hall.

Program in Maria Lankowitz:

• 10:00 a.m. holy mass followed by church and treasury tours; music and cultural program at the Schlossplatz
• 11:00 a.m. "PS meets PS" Vespa blessing at the Schlossplatz
• 12:15 p.m. Decorating the horses at GH Wiendl
• 1:00 p.m. Horse blessing at the Schlossplatz
• 2:00 p.m. Music and cultural program at the Schlossplatz

Program in Köflach:

• 10:00 a.m. Radio-Gruen-Weiss request show, area Turmcafe; LIPIZZANIA film screening in the Lipizzaner homeland library for children & youth.
• from 11:00 a.m. Music and cultural program at the town hall square & children's program with carriage rides, etc. at Hans-Kloepfer-Platz
• 2:00 p.m. Entry of the Lipizzaners in the city center
• from 4:00 p.m. LIPIZZANIA film screening in the Lipizzaner homeland library for children and teenagers

Program at the Lipizzaner Stud Piber:

• 9:45 a.m. Stud tour & carriage rides
• 11:00 a.m. Stud tour & carriage rides
• 1:30 p.m. Stud tour & carriage rides
• 2:45 p.m. Stud tour & carriage rides
• 3:30 p.m. DJ music from Antenne Steiermark in the arena
• 4:30 p.m. Film: "The Happiness of this Earth" at the Museum Stud Piber
• 4:00 & 6:00 p.m. Film screening in the state rooms of Schloss Piber
• 6:00 & 8:00 p.m. Documentaries from the world of horses in the equipment room at Schloss Piber
• from 6:00 p.m. Concert by Matakustix and Tagtraeumer in the arena, free entry

Parking & Shuttle Taxi:
Visitor parking is available at Pibersteiner See, Maria Lankowitz sports field & Lipizzaner Stud Piber.
Shuttle taxi stops include Pibersteiner See, FF Maria Lankowitz, GH Wiendl, Köflach train station, Quergasse-town hall passage, Therme NOVA & Lipizzaner Stud Piber. Free shuttle buses connect the event venues every 10 minutes.

IMPORTANT: Visitors should observe the barriers, keep a distance from the horses, and follow the instructions of the stud staff.
You can find detailed information about the program points and venues.

Köflach is accessible by public transport.