5th December 2023
Barcelona News Catalonia News Madrid News Main News Traditions

Over 1,200 sheep and goats take over central Madrid in ‘Transhumance Festival’

Around 1,200 sheep and 200 goats took over the centre of Madrid with their bleating and bells on Sunday morning, as part of a festival that recreates the pastoral practice of moving livestock to new grazing grounds.

Shepherds herded the animals through the paved streets of the Spanish capital while re-enacting what their ancestors did for centuries: move flocks from cool highlands in the summer to lowland winter pastures.

Madrid, Spain’s lively capital city, has always been part of the 125,000 km grid of farming paths that cover the Iberian Peninsula.

As part of the Fiesta de la Transhumancia, the Transhumance Festival, organisers make a symbolic payment for the right to use the drovers’ route that crosses the capital. The payment presented at Madrid’s city hall in medieval Spain’s currency consists of ’50 maravedis’, as stated in an agreement between the city and shepherds that dates back to 1418.

The closeness of the animals delighted the city’s residents and tourists who gathered to watch the unfamiliar ritual. 

Madrid has held the festival since 1994, and towns and smaller cities in Italy, France and California hold similar events.

In Spain, modern farming methods have reduced practising transhumance – the seasonal movement of livestock – to a small group of farmers that keep the tradition alive through associations such as Concejo de la Mesta, who are responsible for the Transhumance Festival in Madrid.

They promote transhumance for advantages such as sustainability, cultural value and environmental protection since areas walked by sheep are less prone to wildfires.

According to the Transhumance and Nature Association, 52 families carry out the practice in Spain.

Sign up for the FREE Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.

Please support Spain in English with a donation.

Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.

Click here for further details on how to ADVERTISE with us.

 

Recent Posts

Spanish media association files €550m lawsuit against Meta over data protection

News Desk

Telefónica to cut 5,100 jobs in Spain by 2026 – approximately 25% of workforce

News Desk

Israel recalls Spanish ambassador after ‘outrageous remarks’ by Pedro Sánchez

News Desk

Four migrants die after being pushed out of a boat just metres from beach in Andalusia

News Desk

Pedro Sánchez: ‘I have serious doubts Israel is complying with international law’

News Desk

Catalonia in ‘pre-emergency’ drought alert, and may need water shipped in

News Desk

Leave a Comment