Transhumance in Italy – A UNESCO Cultural Heritage

Picture a crisp autumn morning in the Italian countryside. The sun has barely risen, and the sound of bells drifts across the valley. Dust rises as hundreds of sheep, goats, and cattle slowly move forward, guided by shepherds and loyal dogs. This is transhumance — an ancient journey that is part migration, part ritual, and above all, a celebration of life lived in rhythm with nature.

In 2023, UNESCO recognized transhumance as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage, a way of honoring a tradition that has shaped not only landscapes but also communities across Italy.

What Exactly Is Transhumance?

The word comes from the Latin trans (“across”) and humus (“land”). It refers to the seasonal movement of herds: in summer, flocks climb high into the mountains to graze on fresh alpine pastures; when winter approaches, they descend back to the valleys and plains.

This practice is not unique to Italy, but here it has deep roots — from the Alps to the Apennines, from Abruzzo to Sardinia. Paths known as tratturi (ancient droving routes) stretch for hundreds of kilometers, some of them still walked today, linking villages, fields, and traditions.

A Journey Etched in History

Transhumance is as old as farming itself. Roman records mention the great seasonal movements of animals; medieval towns flourished along the tratturi, welcoming shepherds and their flocks. Entire local economies were shaped by wool, cheese, and meat brought through transhumance.

But beyond economics, the practice carried a strong social element. Shepherds would share songs, stories, and food during the long days of walking. Villages along the routes prepared feasts, fairs, and blessings of the herds. Each migration was a cultural event as much as a pastoral necessity.

Why UNESCO Recognition Matters

When UNESCO inscribed transhumance in 2023, it wasn’t just about preserving an old way of moving animals. It was about recognizing a living heritage that still connects humans to the land.

This recognition helps safeguard not only the practice itself but also the knowledge it carries: sustainable grazing, respect for ecosystems, and community cooperation. It affirms that transhumance isn’t only for the past — it holds lessons for today’s environmental challenges.

Transhumance Today – Not Just Nostalgia

It might sound like something from centuries ago, but walk through Abruzzo, Molise, or the valleys of Lombardy in late autumn, and you’ll still find flocks moving across the land. Shepherds, sometimes with entire families, continue to guide their animals along ancestral routes.

In many places, these journeys have turned into festivals. Towns celebrate the passing herds with music, traditional food, and processions. Visitors are invited to join in, walking a stretch of the tratturo, tasting local cheeses, or watching sheepdogs at work. It’s not just heritage preserved in a museum — it’s heritage you can walk beside.

Festivals Along the Tratturi

The revival of interest in transhumance has given rise to vibrant cultural events:

La Rassegna della Transumanza in Villetta Barrea (Abruzzo)

Every October, herds descend from the mountains, greeted by music, markets, and tastings of local products.
More info: https://abruzzoturismo.it

Festa della Transumanza in Molise

Celebrates the herds’ journey along the Tratturo Celano-Foggia, one of the longest ancient droving routes in Italy.
More info: https://moliseturismo.it

Transhumance in Lombardy (Valtellina)

Shepherds and cattle are welcomed back to valley villages in autumn festivals that mix tradition with modern agricultural fairs.
More info: https://www.in-lombardia.it

Not Everyone Knows

• Some tratturi are so wide (up to 100 meters) that they were once considered “green highways” of the past.

• The bells worn by sheep are often personalized — families pass them down for generations as symbols of identity.

• In Sardinia, a unique version of transhumance involves moving flocks by boat between pastures on different parts of the island.

• Traditional songs of transhumance, called canti pastorali, are still performed in some regions during festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is transhumance?

It’s the seasonal movement of herds between mountain pastures in summer and lowlands in winter, a practice still alive in Italy.

HWhy did UNESCO recognize transhumance?

Because it represents a living cultural heritage — connecting people, animals, and landscapes, while preserving sustainable practices.

Where can I see transhumance in Italy?

Regions like Abruzzo, Molise, Lombardy, and Sardinia still celebrate it, especially during autumn and spring migrations.

Is transhumance only for tradition now?

Not at all. It continues to provide sustainable grazing and supports local economies, while also attracting cultural tourism.

Conclusion

The slow rhythm of transhumance reminds us of a different relationship with time and nature. Watching shepherds and flocks walk together across Italy’s landscapes is to witness history alive in the present — a moving line of tradition that UNESCO rightly recognized as world heritage in 2023.

It is not just about animals moving from mountain to valley. It’s about people walking with them, carrying songs, stories, and a way of life that still has something important to teach us today.