A photographic journey through an ancient ritual of movement and resilience.
Transhumance is a form of seasonal pastoralism — the cyclical migration of livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures, practiced in Europe since prehistoric times.In Southern Italy, this tradition lives on: every summer, herders drive their cattle from the coastal plains up to the highlands, following paths etched by centuries of repetition.
This series was commissioned by Corriere della Sera, and documents the journey of Podolica cows — an ancient and hardy breed known for its ability to thrive in harsh, rugged landscapes.The route follows the herds as they move from the coastal farms of the Cirò region to the cooler pastures of the Sila plateau, in a slow choreography of dust, sweat, and tradition.
BACKSTAGE Notes
"For several days, I followed the herders on horseback, tracing the entire journey from the coastal farmlands of Cirò, through the hills of San Nicola dell’Alto and Umbriatico, across the rugged ridges of the Presila Crotonese, and into the forests of San Giovanni in Fiore.
We climbed along the Alto Neto valley, eventually reaching the high pastures of Silvana Mansio, deep within the Sila National Park.No roads, no shortcuts—only ancient trails shaped by time, weather, and necessity.This is not a route for show. It’s a living tradition, sustained by resilience and repetition.
My way of working is grounded in proximity and trust.I don’t frame from afar. I ride alongside, listen before shooting, and allow the rhythm of the journey to shape the images.What I document is not the performance of a ritual, but the shared endurance of land, animals, and humans in motion.This is how I work: close, quiet, and fully present."
ME Behind the Image: A Field Report from the Southern Italian Highlands
portfolio for corriere della sera