Battle of the Oranges – Ivrea
Every February, the small Italian city of Ivrea in Piedmont becomes the setting for one of the most extraordinary events in the world: the Battaglia delle Arance — the Battle of the Oranges. During three carnival days, teams of throwers on foot battle against teams on horse-drawn carts in a spectacular fight that leaves the streets knee-deep in orange pulp. It’s Italy’s largest food fight.
✅ Free admission — the Battle of the Oranges is free to watch from designated safe zones. Joining the battle is also free but requires a red cap.
Free entry for spectators — participating as a thrower is possible in certain teams.
A battle with historical meaning
The Battle of Oranges is a deeply symbolic re-enactment of a medieval legend about a miller’s daughter who refused the tyrannical lord, killed him and inspired the people to revolt. The oranges thrown by the foot teams represent the people’s uprising; those on the carts represent the lord’s guards.
How the battle works
The battle takes place over three carnival days, with the main battle on Sunday afternoon. Nine teams of aranceri on foot face multiple horse-drawn carts. Up to 500,000 kilograms of oranges are used each year. Spectators can wear a red hat or scarf to indicate they are non-participants.
The oranges thrown by the teams on foot represent that popular uprising; the oranges thrown from the carts symbolise the lord’s guards. What looks like chaotic street combat to outsiders is, for the people of Ivrea, an annual commemoration of resistance against oppression. Every district of the town has its own team, with recognisable colours, costumes and a name, and the rivalry between districts matters just as much to local pride as the outcome of the battle itself. Fixed characters such as the Mugnaia — the miller’s daughter from the legend — are symbolically paraded through the streets during carnival and play a leading role in the ceremonies around the battle.
The battle itself unfolds over three days, with the main fight on Sunday afternoon. Nine teams of aranceri on foot take on multiple horse-drawn carts, and up to 500,000 kilos of oranges are used each year. Anyone who’d rather watch than fight can do so safely from designated zones along the route, provided they’re clearly visible wearing a red hat or scarf — the signal that marks you as a non-participant who should be left alone.
For spectators: the closer to the action, the greater the chance of getting soaked and covered in orange pulp, even within the designated zones. Sturdy clothing and footwear that can take a beating are therefore no unnecessary luxury.
The atmosphere in Ivrea during carnival is one of total surrender: the whole town revolves around the battle, from early morning until late at night. Between fights, parades, music and local traditions fill the streets, and the smell of orange juice hangs in the air for days. For anyone who has seen Ivrea’s main square turn into an orange battlefield, it’s an experience that few other carnival traditions can match.
The Battle of the Oranges takes place annually in Ivrea during carnival season, usually in February. Access for spectators is free; anyone wanting to follow the fighting up close wears a red hat or scarf for protection. Ivrea is in Piedmont and easily reached by train from Turin, about forty-five minutes away.
Practical info
- • Date: annually in Ivrea during carnival season, usually February
- • Entry: free for spectators
- • Protection: wear a red hat or scarf as a spectator
- • Getting there: Ivrea, Piedmont, Italy — train from Turin