A flock of sheep are herded past the Santa Cruz Palace during the annual sheep parade, during which shepherds exercise their right to use traditional migration routes for their livestock from northern Spain to winter grazing pasture land in the southern areas of the country, on the streets of Madrid, Spain, October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
Sheep replaced cars on the streets of Madrid on Sunday, as shepherds following ancient herding routes led their flocks through the centre of the Spanish capital to southerly pastures for winter grazing.
Locals and tourists lined the route and watched as thousands of sheep walked through the city, the bells around their necks providing a noisy soundtrack.
The annual event was revived in 1994 as part of Madrid's annual Fiesta de la Trashumancia, after the Spanish parliament recognised the traditional routes shepherds used to herd their livestock.
People watch a flock during the annual sheep parade, during which shepherds exercise their right to use traditional migration routes for their livestock from northern Spain to winter grazing pasture land in the southern areas of the country, at Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain, October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
Just a few centuries ago, the route would have taken them through quiet countryside, but today it sees them traverse some of the busiest areas of the city, including the Plaza Mayor, Madrid's main square.
Onlookers took pictures and videos on their phones, while some children held out tentative hands to stroke the sheep.
Many people were surprised by the unexpected sight in a city usually thronged with traffic.
People watch a flock during the annual sheep parade, during which shepherds exercise their right to use traditional migration routes for their livestock from northern Spain to winter grazing pasture land in the southern areas of the country, on the streets of Madrid, Spain, October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
"It was crazy that there were so many sheep, I've never seen anything like it. It was a great way to learn about Spanish history and Spanish culture," English teacher Maria Kouriabalis, a 22-year-old American who has been living in Madrid for a month, told Reuters.
(Reporting by Michael Gore; Writing by Jessica Jones; Editing by Jan Harvey)
A man holds the mouth of a sheep in a flock during the annual sheep parade, during which shepherds exercise their right to use traditional migration routes for their livestock from northern Spain to winter grazing pasture land in the southern areas of the country, on the streets of Madrid, Spain, October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Violeta Santos MouraPeople watch a flock during the annual sheep parade, during which shepherds exercise their right to use traditional migration routes for their livestock from northern Spain to winter grazing pasture land in the southern areas of the country, on the streets of Madrid, Spain, October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
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