Sezana

Sežana guards the entrance to Slovenia's Karst region—the limestone landscape that gave "karst" to geological vocabulary worldwide. But the municipality's international reputation derives from Lipica, where the oldest continuously operating stud farm in the world has bred Lipizzan horses since 1580.

Archduke Charles II chose this location because the Karst's climate and terrain resembled Spain, source of the foundation stock. The farm's 311 hectares now host 350 white horses, UNESCO-recognized breeding traditions, and over 110,000 annual visitors. The Lipizzan appears on Slovenia's 20-cent coin and enjoys Protected Geographical Indication status since 1999. What began as Habsburg imperial prestige became Slovenian national heritage.

Beyond horses, Sežana offers the Karst Living Museum, botanical gardens, and access to cave systems and wine cellars that characterize the region. The Grand Casino Lipica adds gambling revenue to agricultural tourism. Brief coal mining attempts (1778-1817, later sporadic efforts) failed to compete with more accessible deposits—a geological disadvantage that preserved the pastoral landscape tourism now markets.

By 2026, Sežana will likely continue as Karst gateway and equestrian destination. The 445-year-old stud farm has survived wars, empire collapses, and ideological transformations. What persists is the breeding program and the white horses that embody centuries of selective cultivation.