Lorraine Williamson
Few images capture Andalucian charm quite like the sound of hooves on cobbled streets. Yet the horse-drawn carriage—long seen as a romantic way to explore Spain’s historic cities—is fast becoming a symbol of division between tradition and progress. This week, Málaga announced a full stop to horse-drawn rides through its city centre. Meanwhile, Seville has chosen a different path, keeping the carriages but promising tougher welfare rules.
The contrast between these neighbouring cities has reignited a broader debate across Spain: can tourism honour its past without harming its future?
Málaga breaks with the past
Málaga’s decision did not come overnight. For years, animal rights groups, veterinarians, and residents have raised concerns about the welfare of the horses—especially during the increasingly extreme summer heat. Horses, they argued, were being pushed to their limits, forced to stand for hours under the sun, navigating congested streets filled with traffic and noise.
The city council has now acted decisively. Officials say the practice no longer fits Málaga’s vision of sustainable, humane tourism. Local opinion remains divided: some celebrate the move as progress; others lament the loss of a tradition woven into the city’s identity. But with temperatures in Andalucia now routinely exceeding 40°C, few deny that change was overdue.
Seville’s compromise: Reform, not removal
Just 200 kilometres away, Seville has taken the opposite view. Here, the horse-drawn carriage—known as calesa—is as much a part of the city’s heritage as flamenco or Semana Santa. Rather than scrapping the practice, Seville’s council plans to modernise it. New regulations will enforce mandatory rest breaks, shaded waiting areas, and water points throughout the city centre. Regular veterinary inspections will also become the norm.
City officials say these measures will strike a balance between preserving a cherished image and protecting the animals. “Seville can respect its traditions without turning its back on progress,” one councillor said.
A Divided Public: Tradition, Ethics, and Tourism
Reactions to both cities’ decisions reflect Spain’s wider struggle between cultural identity and modern ethics. Political parties such as Podemos and animal rights group PACMA have applauded Málaga’s move and urged Seville to follow suit. Others, including carriage operators and long-time residents, see it as an attack on a centuries-old livelihood and a unique tourist attraction.
For visitors, too, the issue is complex. Many travellers cherish the sight of horses trotting past the Giralda or along Málaga’s palm-lined boulevards. Yet growing awareness of animal welfare and climate change is forcing a rethink about what kind of tourism truly represents Spain’s future.
Andalusia at a Crossroads
The differing approaches of Málaga and Seville highlight a pivotal moment for Andalusia—and perhaps for Spain as a whole. One city is betting on modernity and compassion; the other on cultural continuity. Córdoba, Granada, and Palma de Mallorca are now watching closely as both models play out.
Whether the future belongs to electric carriages, reform, or outright bans remains to be seen. What is clear is that the image of the horse-drawn carriage, once romantic and timeless, now carries the weight of a modern moral question: in a changing climate, what should tradition look like?
Source: Diario Sur