Transportation in Andalusia: The Vehicles

Throughout history, transportation—the movement of people and goods from one place to another, and the mode or vehicles used for that purpose—has played a vital role in the corresponding development, or lack of it, in different towns.

Depending on how they are transported—by land, water, or air—each specific infrastructure is adapted to fit. From bridleways for transporting animals and people, roads for cars and vehicles to drive on, railroads and stations for trains, ports for ships, airports for airplanes, and so on.

Transportation did not undergo major transformation until the Industrial Revolution. From that point on, significant advances were made to both vehicles and infrastructure, and there were important changes in terms of the people and goods being moved.

This exhibition will take you on a virtual journey through vehicles, one of the key elements of transportation.

Animals as a means of transportation

Horses, mules, donkeys, and oxen, equipped with the right tack, such as saddlebags, could transport people or goods on their backs.

Before the Industrial Revolution, land transport involved different kinds of carriages pulled by beasts of burden (donkeys, mules, oxen, horses, etc.) or riding on the backs of the animals.

At that time, journeys were made along paths and roads, and were long, slow, and dangerous.

The image shows a rider on muleback traveling through the Puerta de Córdoba in Carmona, Seville. He has the perfect gear: a saddle along with small saddlebags for his personal belongings.

Yoke of oxen

The introduction of the wheel for carts—and the use of animal power to move them—boosted the development of land transport. It facilitated the transport of ever heavier cargo and enabled longer distances to be covered in shorter times.

In the image is a yoke of oxen transporting blocks of marble.

Cart

A cart (also known as a wagon, carriage, or coach) is a horsedrawn vehicle that has been used to transport people and goods since the olden days.

With the advent of motor vehicles, horsedrawn carts were demoted to a secondary role in advanced societies, used just on special occasions, for renting, or as museum pieces.

Horse-drawn carriages are kept alive in our fairs and equestrian competitions, like in the "Feria de Jerez" (Jerez Fair), which this photograph was taken from.

Carriages

The pilgrim carriages are based on the vehicles that were used by locals to complete their pilgrimage to the shrine of Rocío. Over the years the carriages have been adapted so much that they have taken on a very different appearance from the originals.

Both the pilgrim and processional carriages are typical features of Andalusian religious pilgrimages.

The image shows the procession of the "Rocío de Triana" brotherhood through San Jorge street in Triana, Seville. It also depicts the time when animal-powered and motor-powered transportation existed side by side.

Railroad

The development of the railroad in the 19th century facilitated the movement of goods, and fostered trade with other countries.

The train represented a new means of transport, traveling along rails, and powered by a steam engine or locomotive.

Streetcar

Another land transportation vehicle that moves along rails is the streetcar. However, unlike the train, it travels within or around towns, and is primarily used to transport passengers.

Early streetcars were pulled by mules or horses (horsecars). Then followed mechanical power: steam and electric streetcars.

Motorcycle

The bicycle gained popularity in the late 19th century. It later developed into the motorcycle with the addition of a combustion engine to the basic bicycle elements.

The evolution of the motorcycle as a vehicle for leisure and sports led swiftly to the emergence of motorcycle races. The first of these took place in France in 1896.

In Andalusia, the growing popularity of motorcycling led to clubs cropping up all throughout the territory, tasked with organizing motorcycle races.

In the early 20th century, the motorcycle began to replace the horse as the mode of transport provided to law enforcement.

In the image, police officer on a motorcycle, traveling along a flooded street.

Automobile (car)

In the early 20th century, the automobile (car) came to prominence.

This vehicle, with its combustion engine and rubber tires, was capable of moving more easily and faster than a train, as it did not depend on the railroad but on newly paved roads.

In the image, taxi parked in front of a garage.

Trucks and buses

The steady increase in the automobile's load capacity led to the appearance of trucks and buses, which in a short period of time would replace the railroad.

In the image, passengers on a bus belonging to the Damas company

Steamship

The use of water transport dates back to prehistory. The earliest boats were powered by oars or paddles. Later, the Romans used sailboats, which were the first means of transport able to traverse long distances by sea or river.

In the 19th century, the steamship gradually replaced sailboats, although it was not until well into the 20th century when motorboats became the preferred method of water transportation.

Boats

In the pre-industrial period, heavy or large merchandise was generally transported by sea or river. Different types of boats were used (galleys, cogs, caravels, frigates, etc.). These boats, powered by oars and/or sails, allowed larger cargoes to be transported across longer distances, and faster than comparable land transport.

However, sailing would continue to dominate the seas until the new steamships were able to overcome their initial challenges. With the invention of the propeller, steamships became the chosen mode of transport for major journeys.

Zeppelin

In the first third of the 20th century, the airship was established as a means of air transport. The airship was self-propelled and capable of flying long distances, transporting passengers as well as large cargoes.

The era of the airship came to end on May 6, 1937, when the German passenger airship, the Hindenburg, caught fire and was destroyed while attempting to dock in Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Zeppelins measured more than 40 meters (131 feet) in diameter and 200 meters (656 meters) long, flew 200 meters high in the air, and reached cruising speeds of more than 100 km (62 miles) per hour.

Airship

A number of terrible accidents involving airships, including the spectacular explosion of the German airship, the Hindenburg, in 1937, led to these vessels being gradually replaced by airplanes.