Shop Now View Cart
The Battle of Oranges

This festival of throwing oranges at each other is the largest food fight in Italy. It is celebrated in the city of Ivrea, where thousands of locals gather and divide into nine combat teams and then throw oranges at each other. The Orange Battle, or Battaglia Delle Arance to locals, is a three-day festival celebrated during the carnival days – Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. The carnival takes place in the month of February.

Historical Origin

History says that a wicked tyrant once ruled the city of Ivrea. He claimed droit du seigneur on the miller’s daughter, Violetta, when she got married. Instead of becoming a victim, she marked the beginning of a revolution by using that opportunity to chop off his head. Now, to remember the revolution, every year, this festival is celebrated. This way, the people mark their liberation and enjoy that day.

The Celebration

Each year, a young girl is chosen in the name of Violetta, the rebellion. Earlier, beans were used instead of oranges, then apples, then finally oranges were taken as a symbol of stones thrown at the king’s castle. Moreover, people dressed as military on the carriages represent the king’s army and the orange thrower as the revolutionaries.

Many people get bruised and seriously injured. So, if you want to get little nuts and experience this festival, take precautions. Also, there are safe zones for non-participants.

Final Words

The Battle of Oranges is a magnificent display of freedom. It is worth experiencing this festival in northern Italy, especially when you love having a great skin, albeit being reddened by the shots of the fruit. You will surely go back home with fearless revolutionary tales and memories.


Image credit: Gabriele F.

Author’s note

Nature at its best is a great repository of knowledge and most of it is still a mystery to our minds. However, at Atrimed Plant Science, we have willed ourselves to research, understand the best-kept secrets of Nature and use that knowledge to the betterment of our health. We believe in thinking beyond, knowing beyond and using the best research capabilities to understand the science plants use to live, thrive, adapt and grow. In this blog, you would find details of some interesting plant facts, the science behind them, snippets of history, updates about science and many interesting secrets. Read, subscribe, share your comments with us. Thank you!

You might like our skin care offering that will help heal, restore and nurture your skin in the most natural way – With the goodness of plants in their most purest form and in the scientific way possible. Click here to check out our store today.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.