Travelling to pastures old in the Orobie Alps – a photo essay

For centuries, a mountain chain in northern Italy has been fertile ground for transhumance. This ancient practice of moving livestock between valleys and mountains has been a cultural tradition and a part of the local identity for five centuries

Every June the magic repeats, starting from the small town of Mezzoldo, Italy. Juri Salvini, the head of the family, started working with his uncle at the age of 12 in a pasture called Alpe Terzera, where he still brings his cows today. This ancient practice is now part of the history of the Salvini family, composed of Juri, Katya, Alessandra and Elena, who continue to carry on this tradition every summer.

Above: travelling towards the first of the six stopovers on the steep track leading to the alpine pastures towards which the Salvini family head each year. Right: Juri pours water for his cattle. Far right: the Salvini cows during the ascent to the Cima mountain hut, their final destination each summer from their home in Mezzoldo