The Battle of the Oranges is probably one of those events that you have heard tell of plenty of times during your childhood, seen mentioned in books or discussed in passing on television shows but you might not actually know the whole story or what it actually is before. Well, never fear, we're here to inform you about this rather fascinating and unique annual event in Italy…
The Historical Carnival of Ivrea, which culminates in the famous Battle of the Oranges, is a festival that takes place in February each year in the town of Ivrea. The battle itself lasts three days and really does involve oranges.
The Historical Carnival of Ivrea, which culminates in the famous Battle of the Oranges, is a festival that takes place in February each year in the town of Ivrea. The battle itself lasts three days and really does involve oranges.
In fact, it involves the townspeople dividing into three teams, according to the quarters of the town, arming themselves with crates of oranges and waiting in the main square of the town for the battle to begin. The start is signalled by the arrival of carts full of armoured opponents; a detail that seems a little unfair to me as all those outside the carts are not likewise protected against injury...
At this point, you may be wondering where in God such a tradition came from, which is a good questions. Yet, as with many things, the exact origins are now uncertain. However, there is one legend that is popular that tells the tale of a hated local lord (a standard character in such stories) named Marquis Raineri di Biandrate, who turned up on the night of a young woman named Violetta's wedding, looking to invoke the “droit du seigneur”. Violetta, being a bit of a badass, fought off his advances and somehow managed to decapitate the man with the dagger she kept on her person. When she presented the head to the other villagers triumphantly, instead of being concerned or horrified, they cheered for joy at his death. For years, they had detested the man's tyranny and the were now free so they stormed the castle, burned it to the ground, and vowed to never allow such a beast to control them again.
Today, the throwing of oranges is said to reenact the defeat of the tyrant and is a popular event and game, with rules for participants and guidelines for spectators. These are the important ones: 1. Don't throw oranges at horses. 2. Wear a red floppy cap to identify yourself as a spectator and not someone who wishes to be attacked (!). 3. Keep kids out of harm's way.
So, if that sounds like your cup of tea, just find a vacation rental in Piedmont and join in. Or, if you're going to observe, don't forget your hat!
At this point, you may be wondering where in God such a tradition came from, which is a good questions. Yet, as with many things, the exact origins are now uncertain. However, there is one legend that is popular that tells the tale of a hated local lord (a standard character in such stories) named Marquis Raineri di Biandrate, who turned up on the night of a young woman named Violetta's wedding, looking to invoke the “droit du seigneur”. Violetta, being a bit of a badass, fought off his advances and somehow managed to decapitate the man with the dagger she kept on her person. When she presented the head to the other villagers triumphantly, instead of being concerned or horrified, they cheered for joy at his death. For years, they had detested the man's tyranny and the were now free so they stormed the castle, burned it to the ground, and vowed to never allow such a beast to control them again.
Today, the throwing of oranges is said to reenact the defeat of the tyrant and is a popular event and game, with rules for participants and guidelines for spectators. These are the important ones: 1. Don't throw oranges at horses. 2. Wear a red floppy cap to identify yourself as a spectator and not someone who wishes to be attacked (!). 3. Keep kids out of harm's way.
So, if that sounds like your cup of tea, just find a vacation rental in Piedmont and join in. Or, if you're going to observe, don't forget your hat!
Photo credit: Baldo Simone / CC BY-SA 4.0
