Ancient Shepherding Tradition Celebrated in Spain

Thousands of sheep and goats filling the streets of Madrid brought Spain’s ancient shepherding tradition — the “Fiesta de la Trashumancia” — back to life. According to Infobae, this year’s unusual procession included 1,250 sheep and 160 goats.

Held since 1994, the event is aimed at preserving the centuries-old tradition of seasonal livestock migration, with animals moved to lowland pastures in winter and to mountain grazing areas in summer.

This time, the herd set off from Casa de Campo Park, crossed the Puente del Rey bridge and headed toward the city’s historic center.

Because a protest camp had been set up in Puerta del Sol Square over housing problems in the city center, the traditional route of the procession was changed. It instead passed through Cuesta de la Vega, Calle Mayor and Plaza de la Villa.

At Plaza de la Villa, the shepherds observed an old rule by making a symbolic payment of 50 maravedís — an ancient Spanish coin — for every 1,000 head of livestock.

The tradition dates back to 1418.