Horse collapses on Rome's Ponte Cavour – debate over tourist carriages reignited

Rome's animal welfare commissioner Patrizia Prestipino shared a video of the incident on X and declared that this city is no longer suitable for carriage horses. The politician from the Democratic Party (PD) wrote that "scorching heat, the burning asphalt and the chaotic traffic" had actually made this tradition untenable for years. Prestipino also affirmed that Rome "has long ceased to be a city for carriage horses."

According to the city, there are still 16 carriage operators. According to Prestipino, the number of license holders has thus declined significantly – ten years ago there were still 38. Animal welfare advocates and politicians from several parties have long been calling for the final end of the so-called "botticelle." Rome has been trying for quite some time to ban the last remaining horse-drawn carriages from the streets.

The city of Rome is considering making it easier for carriage drivers to switch to electric taxis. Currently under discussion is converting their licenses into taxi permits. The goal is to make the transition more attractive and to gradually phase out the traditional carriage business. It is being examined whether sponsors could finance the purchase of cars to serve as replacements for the carriages. Animal welfare organizations have reportedly already signaled their willingness to help search for vehicles.

However, some of the carriage drivers reject this or are delaying a switch in order to negotiate better conditions. Some carriage drivers are refusing to agree to a corresponding proposal from the city. The incident has further intensified the debate over the future of the historic cabs.

The case is also politically charged. City council members Flavia De Gregorio and Antonio De Santis from the Azione party described horse-drawn carriages as "anachronistic and undignified." They declared that the use of horses in dense traffic, on scorching asphalt and in extreme temperatures can no longer be justified. According to Prestipino, other parliamentarians had also repeatedly tried in vain to change the national law on the protection of carriage horses.

Switch to Electric Taxis: Plan and Resistance

In the city center, traffic with cars, scooters and pedestrians is also chaotic. Prestipino said the proposal concerns both animal welfare and traffic safety as well as compliance with legal regulations. During the summer months, the use of carriages is already heavily restricted – when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, a driving ban applies, with driving permitted only in the early morning and evening hours.

The issue is also attracting attention beyond Italy's borders. In Vienna, a very similar debate over the traditional Fiaker takes place every year. Comparable conflicts between animal welfare, tourism and the cityscape exist in many European capitals where horse-drawn carriages are part of the tourist offering.

After the animal's collapse, images and videos spread rapidly on social media and triggered a wave of outrage. Several organizations and politicians once again called for an end to the practice. The case is seen as another turning point in a dispute that has occupied Rome for years.

Political Reactions and Comparison with Vienna

The city announced that it would investigate the incident and intensify the ongoing talks with the carriage drivers. Should sponsors be found to finance the purchase of cars, the conversion to electric taxis could become a realistic alternative for some operators. Whether the carriage drivers will agree to the plan remains open for now.