la transumanza...

In Biella (Piedmont) twice a year the seasons are marked by the transumanza, that is the bringing down of cattle from high pastures, to the plains for winter. They walk all the way, through towns, busy roads, roundabouts. Each cow has a huge leather collar from which dangles an equally impressive bell. You can hear them coming for miles, and when they pass by, the sound is mighty impressive...
Biella is round about half way through their journey and they always stop for a break in one of several car parks around the town which is what you see here in this photograph.