Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid
Today I saw sheep.
Behind me was a little kid trying to count how many sheep there were. He was pretty good at it.
transhumance(Noun)
the moving of cattle or other grazing animals to new pastures, often quite distant, according to the change in season
Transhumance is an ancient practice, but a word I’ve only recently added to my vocabulary. For centuries, people have moved their livestock seasonally in search of better grazing grounds. Last year, I missed the chance to witness it here in Madrid, but today, I finally had the opportunity to capture it through my lens.
In Madrid, transhumance has been a cherished tradition for 601 years. Every year, shepherds and their flocks journey through the heart of Spain’s capital, following age-old routes to warmer pastures—a striking reminder of the city’s connection to its rural heritage.
Leading the procession, people in traditional attire played castanets, providing a lively rhythm, while others accompanied them with the evocative sounds of bagpipes, creating a vibrant and nostalgic soundtrack for the event.
A Spanish woman, embodying the warmth of rural tradition, handed a reporter a piece of homemade bread—a simple yet heartfelt gesture that added a personal touch to the celebration.
A man generously handed out pieces of bread and slices of Spanish salami (mmm, delicious), while a woman offered him a glass of wine. These simple yet iconic flavors represent some of the most traditional Spanish foods, embodying the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Among the flock, a few sheep stood out with bells strapped around their necks.
The sheep made a stop by City Hall and the iconic Cybele’s statue. After all, they’re entitled to a bit of sightseeing too, aren’t they?
Boy guides his sheep along the Calle Mayor at Sol, right in front of the Apple Store.
It truly felt like a sea of sheep, their woolly forms flowing through the streets like waves in a surreal urban tide.
Leading the thousands of sheep, a group of shepherds wielding sticks sternly warned photographers who lingered in their path—and rightly so. Tradition waits for no one.
The Spanish Mastiff, Spain’s beloved shepherd dog, proudly trotted alongside the flock—or perhaps he simply snuck out to join the adventure.
Some children paused to pet the sheep, their laughter and curiosity adding a heartwarming touch to the ancient tradition.
The youngest shepherd I spotted today was a little girl proudly sporting a Star Wars t-shirt.
This poor sheep injured her leg, so her compassionate owner hoisted her onto their back and carried her for nearly two miles.
You wouldn’t believe the sheer amount of sheep poo they left behind. Fortunately, after 601 years, technology has made quick cleanup a breeze. My shoes, however, weren’t as lucky.
