MADRID, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of sheep and cows were paraded through the city center here during a celebration of the transhumance festival on Sunday, a centuries-old tradition in Spain.
The festival originated from the transhumance practice, in which shepherds in winter drove their cattle and sheep from the mountains to the warm meadows and in summer returned to the mountains to ensure their animals are well fed.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the City of Madrid's decision to revive this tradition.
Sunday saw hundreds of shepherds showing off their animals to the delighted Madrid residents.
The festival also reminds people of the route of the animal-pulled carts, which contained wood and metals from the interior of Spain that were used to build the ships that played an important role in the Spanish Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries.
