Carnevale d'Ivrea

The Carnevale d'Ivrea has old origins, dating back to Medieval roots. It then evolved through the centuries, as for example representants of the French army were added during the French ruling over Northern Italy in the years 18xy.
In particular, the battle of the oranges found its way in the years 1830/40 and on 1947 the first team was born.

The Carnevale is opened on the Saturday by the presentation of the "Mugnaia" (the daughter of the miller). Soon after she quits the City Hall and starts a tour of the city, stopping along the river Dora only to admire the fireworks she directly paid. For 2010, it's been said that she paid ~60,000 euros! ..no wonder she's always chosen among local wealthy families ;-)

This firework was resembling a comet: nice thought!

As promised, here is Violetta (the name of the first Mugnaia), walking through the main streets of the city on Saturday night.

For three days, since Sunday to Tuesday, the battle of the oranges is organized between 14:30 and 17:30.
Here youngsters were waiting for the clock...and the first cart!

All along the carnevale, the Mugnaia is making tours of the city. People get alerted by the sounds of the carnival anthem, sung by the Pifferi.
They are opening the road to the rest of the procession.

Back in the centuries, every quartier of the city was organizing his own carnival. As the French occupants of the city were worried about the public order, they decided to supply some guards to guarantee the peaceful happening of events as to avoid any riot against the common French invasor.

Getting low on oranges during the fight is not a pleasant occasion. You get close to the cart, with lots of other people pushing you towards it, but if you have nothing to throw: shortly you become an easy target.

The fight starts as soon as the people on the cart are wearing their helmets and as people on the ground do not wear their red hats. This is indeed an indication of civilian people, not involved in the match.

During a cold afternoon, a warm tea is welcomed before getting back in the melee.

At their high level, even an orange falling down only due to the gravity force may already hurt. But they do speed those orange bullets and they have at least other 6 people on the ground for each of them. Hence, a deep breath between the battles is a must.

Different square, different teams!

Don't worry: your favourite photographer is now safe behind some protection nets :-)

At the end of the carnival, a jury will elect the cart which took care the most of the ornaments of their horses.

He is the captain of the guards, patrolling the events of the carnival and opening the procession of the Mugnaia.

As the cart is passing through the other half of the square, people on the ground are taking notes of the best points-of-attack for when it will be their turn.

The battle reaches its end at 17:30 on the Tuesday.
In a couple of hours, the jury will elect the teams that showed off their best on the ground and on the carts.