Historic Carnival of Ivrea (Battle of the Oranges)Storico Carnevale di Ivrea
Ivrea, Ivrea (Piedmont), Italy
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🎟 Ticketed (€0 - €15)
FestivalAtlas
The Historic Carnival of Ivrea is a centuries-old civic festival culminating in the famous "Battaglia delle Arance" (Battle of Oranges). Nine local squads on foot (representing the townspeople) symbolically revolt against enemy squads on carts (the tyrant’s army), by throwing oranges in staged battles over three days. The event commemorates a 12th-century legend when a miller’s daughter beheaded a feudal tyrant to free Ivrea. Costumed parades, symbolic rituals (such as the Preda ceremony and the Vezzosa Mugnaia procession), and communal feasting (e.g. the traditional bean stew) accompany the orange fights. It draws thousands of locals and visitors, dynamically blending pageantry, civic satire, and ancient folklore 1.
The festival reenacts Ivrea’s medieval revolt. The legend of Violetta the miller’s daughter (Vezzosa Mugnaia), who killed her lord to end tyrannical rule, inspires the carnival. From the Middle Ages, locals threw beans and later oranges to lament oppression. Today the symbolic carnivalesque battle recalls the townspeople’s historic liberation and civic identity, vividly expressed through communal rituals (wearing a red Phrygian cap as symbol of liberty) and music 1 2.
Venues and routes
Piazza Ottinetti · Ivrea
The dates that shape the visit.
Opening day · Sat, Feb 6
Follows the midday parade; typically a public ceremony by the Town Hall balcony
Arrive early to get a viewing spot by the balcony. Festive and emotional moment as confetti or petals are thrown. Afterwards, enjoy the evening street celebrations.
Day 2 · Sun, Feb 7
Begins with traditional flag raising (Alzata degli Abbà) at dawn, followed by hours of combat
Secure a position behind protective barriers by sunrise. Wear goggles and prepare to get wet/soiled by flying oranges. Can be intense; plan breaks at Villaggio Arancio food stalls.
Final day · Tue, Feb 9
Concludes with the traditional burning of a large puppet (“Scarlo”) around 22:00
Stand near the City Square by nightfall for fireworks. After the last oranges, gather with crowds for the Scarli burning ceremony around 22:00. A spectacular and poignant finale - arrive early for best view.
A compact reference once the trip is real.
Practical notes refreshed Feb 21.
Tickets required · Typical price: €0 - €15
Very high crowds · Intense energy
Extremely crowded in the center during battle days, with limited personal space; public squares become densely packed
Event is well-policed, but the Orange Battles are physically aggressive (safety gear recommended); carry minimal valuables due to pickpocket risk
Cold winter weather · Event proceeds rain or shine
Daily budget: €60-80, Mid: €100-150, Luxury: €150+ · Drinks: Water and sodas ~€2, local beer/wine €4-6
Stay in nearby towns (e.g. Ivrea outskirts or Canavese area), eat at local trattorie off the main square, use public transport instead of taxis
From center: Main events are in the city center. · Main areas are paved and mostly wheelchair-accessible, but fight zones have barricades and rough ground