Yep, you read the title correctly. Big, juicy, Sicilian oranges being used as weapons against a tyrant by his starving people…

well sort-of.

Carnevale di Ivrea, the battle of the oranges, is the oldest historic carnival in Italy (1808). It’s a reenactment of what took place in the middle ages when the people of Ivrea overthrew their tyranny. Now every year during the Italian carnival season (their version of Mardi Gras) thousands of people come to Ivrea to watch or participate in the local orange fights.

The Battle of the Oranges takes place over three days (Sunday to shove Tuesday) in the city’s main squares, where teams go head-to-head against ‘the awful government’, which is basically a group of men/women posted on carriages playing the part.

The historic backstory idolizes a Miller’s Daughter, who killed the evil tyrant with his own sword and started the rebellion.

Once you see her ride through the town squares, you’ll know the battle is about to start.

She is also showcased in Ivrea’s carnival parades throwing flowers and candy.

Carnevale di Ivrea: The Battle of the Oranges

When we went, my husband paid to play and I watched from behind the safety net in the Ace of Spades square.

There are five different squares, each having their own theme. If you opt to play then you’ll wear that team’s shirt and stay in their square.

If you opt out then you’ll have to wear something red on your head.

But this doesn’t mean you won’t get hit.

I was hit by an orange flying at a top speed into the safety net. Ouch!

And just think how it feels to be hit up close like this…

I saw plenty of black eyes and bloody noses.

But people were loving it, orange after orange.

I enjoyed the excitement, too.

Especially when the fights were over and oranges filled the streets.

Would you ever go to the Battle of the Oranges?

Find out more info here