La transumanza

02/08/2010 - 05:03

Someone posted on the old forum about the thousand-year old trails used for the movement of sheep herds from Abruzzo to Puglia. I think they have a special name, but can't remember it. Anyway, a very go-ahead Abruzzese now offers the chance to walk some of the trails: I'm not sure I could do the walking up a mountain, but perhaps could join a return trip in the Autumn! I love the sounds of the sheep bells around us in Marche - especially when I'm on the phone to a client in the UK! Is it just me, or is Abruzzo much more switched on to tourism than Marche? Locals here say that the National Parks over the border are much more tourist-friendly and therefore used much more. Or is it just that proximity to Rome helps? Not that I want busloads of camera-wielding day-trippers, but this sort of initiative strikes me as something that wouldn't get off the ground in Marche

Topic

Travel

Location

Abruzzo

Comment

La "transumanza" from the Latin words "tras" (through) and "humus" (land or soil) is an ancient practice and it is interesting to point out that the same word, or almost, is used in several European languages: "transhumance"(in English), "trashumancia" (in Spanish), "transhumance" (in French) and so on. Shepperds had special rights granted by the authorities to get their sheep through cities and on main roads and some of these crossings are still practiced, more as a ceremony than anything else. I think that one of the best known in Europe is when shepperds take their sheep up to the very centre of Madrid through the old "camino real" or Royal Road. I am sure that there will be some similar old ceremony in Italy, but I do not know where. As people become more interested in old customs and traditions y think that it is an excellent opportunity for some special interest tours. Very good article, Anne. Thanks

Could be a winner with the Welsh

Would you have to bring your own wellies?

Ascoli Piceno obtained a good deal of her wealth in the Middle Ages from these sheep, the wool merchants were the wealthiest guild in town. Just south of town in the mountains of northern Abruzzo you will find Le caciare dotting the higher elevations. These were stone huts built by the shepherds for shelter. This would be an interesting trip but I too see the regions having problems getting this off the ground.

asefdfasdfasdfasdfI hav I have a friend in Vasto (on the coast south of Pescara) that is in the heart of some of the transumanzza trails. He has a cooking school there also, and loves to do special trips for his students. Anyone interested in exploring some of the special places in Abruzzo, should ping his website, I'm sure he would love to talk about it with you.