Battle of the orange

Battle of the Orange

Background

The Battle Of The Oranges is said to represent two possible events. The most commonly held theory is that it represents an uprising against the cruel regime of a vicious tyrant. It's likely that the tyrant in question is Ranieri di Biandrate. In 1194, his castle was destroyed by the local population – the tyrant himself also came to a sticky end, and his downfall is where the real motive for this festival comes in.

Ranieri di Biandrate is said to claim that it was his right to sleep with any bride on her wedding night. In the case of one unwilling victim – a miller's daughter called Violetta – she refused and instead cut Ranieri's head off with a dagger. In the Battle Of The Oranges, a girl is selected to play the part of Violetta. The symbolic destruction of the tyrant's abode is represented by the throwing of the oranges – while the oranges themselves are said to represent Ranieri's head.

It's also worth noting that another theory about the annual battle is that it represents Violetta's stand against Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick of Swabia (also known as Barbarossa).

The Event

The Battle Of The Oranges attracts thousands of townspeople. The willing participants are then divided into nine separate teams who are then dressed in long, red Phrygran hats (which represent freedom). The teams then pelt oranges at each other with great gusto – originally, it is said that beans were first hurled at each other by the participants – then apples, before oranges became the familiar choice. The event is part of a traditional Ivrea carnival which takes place in around the third week of February (in 2012, it took place between the 18th and the 21st).