Battle of the Oranges Ivrea 2023 Italy: Date, History, Facts

The Battle of the Oranges is a world-famous food fight that takes place in Ivrea, Northern Italy, on the Sunday preceding the commencement of Catholic Lent. This year, it occurs between February 27 and March 1. The three-day celebration, which begins on the Sunday preceding Shrove Tuesday, is a festive means to commemorate the liberation of the Ivrean people from a tyrannical government. The holiday functions as a symbol of their spirit and victory in achieving independence.

IVREA’S HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF THE ORANGES

The origins of the Battle of the Oranges can be traced back to a local legend about a ruthless tyrant named Raneri de Biandrate who governed Ivrea with an iron fist. The story recalls the Ivrean people’s revolt against the tyrant de Biandrate in 1194 and the sacking of his castle in response to his abuse of power over the town, particularly after the attempted rape of a young village woman, who was believed to have sparked the revolt by beheading de Biandrate during her struggle. A few decades later, another sovereign, the Marquis Gugliemo of Monferrato, met the same fate.

Over time, as the legend was passed down to newer generations, de Biandrate and the Marquis Gugliemo were eventually merged into a single tyrant. Thus, the carnival became a commemoration of the Ivrian people’s overall liberation and opposition to tyranny. The destruction of the tyrants’ castles is symbolised by the Battle of the Oranges, a three-day event during the Carnival of Ivrea in which oranges are thrown by the inhabitants. During the ceremony, the town is divided into two factions representing the Ivreans and the forces of the emperor.

Those representing the people parade through the town on foot, divided into nine teams, and toss oranges at those portraying the tyrant’s forces, who perform the festival (and also throw oranges) from moving waggons. The first official Carnival of Ivrea took place in 1808, as a result of a decision by the administration of Napoleonic Turin to unify all similar events into a single celebration that would honour the town’s history. However, it wasn’t until after World War II that celebrations took on their current format of entertainment. Overall, the Battle of the Oranges is a magnificent event that celebrates the town’s unity and pride by painting the sunny northern Italian town orange.

Five fascinating facts about Ivrea

In Ivrea, the remains of a Roman amphitheatre constructed around 1 A.D., albeit with restorations, still stand today.

The Ivrea Castle, the city’s most famous monument, served as a prison in the 18th century.

Olivetti, which manufactures typewriters, computers, and smartphones, is one of Europe’s largest office machinery manufacturers of the 20th century and is headquartered in Ivrea.

Ivrea was named a “UNESCO Industrial City of the 20th Century” in 2018 due to the significant and distinct industrial and socio-cultural developments that occurred under the Olivetti company during the 20th century.

Ivrea is the birthplace of the Torta 900, a mousse-filled sponge cake whose original formula can only be tasted at the Pasticceria Balla bakery in the city.

BATTLE OF THE ORANGES IVREA DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	February 27	Sunday
2022	February 19	Saturday
2024	February 11	Sunday
2025	March 2	Sunday
2026	February 15	Sunday