Battle of the Oranges 2027: Ivrea's Carnevale Travel Guide

The Battle of the Oranges is the centerpiece of the Carnevale di Ivrea, a historic carnival in the Piedmont town of Ivrea that has nothing to do with typical Italian Carnival parades. Over several days — February 6-9 in 2027 — teams of aranceri (orange throwers) on foot battle teams riding on carts, hurling roughly 500 tons of oranges at one another in scenes that draw comparisons to La Tomatina, though Ivrea's tradition runs on a much older and more specific historical legend.

According to the festival's own telling, the battle commemorates Violetta, a medieval miller's daughter. Local lore holds that a tyrannical feudal lord — historians point variously to Ranieri of Biandrate or the Marquis Guglielmo VII of Monferrato as the possible historical basis — claimed the right of prima nocta over Violetta on her wedding night. Rather than submit, she got the lord drunk, beheaded him, and presented his head to the townspeople, inciting a revolt against his rule. Historians trace elements of the story back to the 12th century, though, as with much of the Carnevale's origin, the exact history and the legend have become genuinely intertwined over the centuries.

The modern orange-throwing tradition is more recent than the legend itself, but it retains the story's spirit: aranceri on foot represent the revolting townspeople, throwing oranges (standing in for the stones and old weapons of the original uprising) at aranceri riding on carts, who represent the tyrant's guards. Each year, a young woman from Ivrea is chosen to play Violetta, presiding symbolically over the battle.

How to Watch Safely

How Much Does a Trip Cost?

Ivrea itself is a small town with limited accommodation relative to the crowds the festival draws, which is why nearby Turin is the practical base for many visitors.

Getting There & Around

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the 2027 Battle of the Oranges dates?

The Carnevale di Ivrea, including the Battle of the Oranges, runs February 6-9, 2027, in Ivrea, Piedmont.

Is it safe to watch the Battle of the Oranges?

Yes, with the right precautions — wearing the traditional red safety cap and staying within marked safe zones and netted spectator areas keeps you out of the direct throwing zones, where oranges are thrown with real force.

What is the legend behind the Battle of the Oranges?

It commemorates Violetta, a legendary miller's daughter who is said to have beheaded a tyrannical feudal lord rather than submit to him, inciting a revolt — historians trace elements of the story to the 12th century, though it has become intertwined with local legend over time.