Italy’s Chamber of Deputies introduced a bill Wednesday to ban traditional horse-drawn tourist carriages in Rome and other art cities [1].
The move signals a shift in how Italy manages its cultural heritage sites, balancing the preservation of historic tourism with modern animal rights standards. The proposed legislation targets the "botticelle," the iconic carriages that have long been a staple of the Roman streetscape.
The bill was introduced July 29, 2026 [1]. It seeks to remove these carriages from Rome and other cities designated as cultural heritage centers across the country.
Legislators acted after animal-welfare concerns gained momentum. The push for the ban followed the circulation of footage showing an exhausted horse, which sparked a wider public debate regarding the treatment of animals used for tourism [2, 3].
Supporters of the measure suggest replacing the horse-drawn carriages with taxis to maintain tourist transport options without the ethical concerns associated with animal labor [2, 3]. The proposal aims to modernize the transport infrastructure in these historic districts, while ensuring a higher standard of care for animals.
While the botticelle are viewed by some as an essential part of the aesthetic of Italy's art cities, the legislative focus has shifted toward the physical toll on the horses. The bill reflects a growing trend in European urban centers to prioritize animal welfare over traditional tourist attractions [1, 2].
“Italy’s Chamber of Deputies introduced a bill Wednesday to ban traditional horse-drawn tourist carriages”
This legislative move reflects a broader European trend where animal rights are beginning to outweigh the preservation of traditional tourist aesthetics. By replacing botticelle with taxis, Italy is attempting to resolve a conflict between its identity as a guardian of history and its obligations to modern ethical standards regarding animal labor.
