Ivrea Battle of the Oranges

During the final days of Carnevale, the small town of Ivrea near Turin becomes the site of one of Europe's most extraordinary folk traditions. Nine teams of aranceri throw oranges at each other from the streets and from horse-drawn carts, re-enacting a medieval uprising against a tyrannical ruler — the unarmoured teams on foot representing the townspeople, the armoured teams on carts representing the tyrant's guards.

The legend traces back centuries, though the orange-throwing tradition itself crystallised into its current form in the nineteenth century. Visitors who don't want to be pelted wear a red cap, universally recognised as a signal of non-participation. Those who do join in can expect to end the day thoroughly citrus-scented and bruised, in the best possible spirits.

Alongside the battle itself, the surrounding weeks are filled with historical parades, traditional bean feasts, and the Orange Village serving up the flavours of Carnevale — a genuinely unique way to experience Piedmont's food culture, however unconventional the method of delivery.