Ivrea è

Carnival

The fire of freedom

History and legend from different eras intertwine around the Fire of Freedom, the true heart of the celebration. Considered Italy’s oldest Carnival, the Historic Carnival of Ivrea is brought to life each year through characters and rituals that remain deeply rooted in tradition: the Vezzosa Mugnaia, the beloved heroine who symbolizes the people’s revolt against tyranny; the Battle of the Oranges, the festival’s most spectacular event and renowned around the world; the Generale and the Podestà, greeted with admiration and respect; together with the sound of the Pifferi, the wearing of the Berretto Frigio, the historic bean feasts, the horses’ ceremonial harnesses, the burning of the scarli, and countless other traditions that make Ivrea an unmissable destination from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday.

Discover the places

The places of the Carnival

Carri da Getto

The days of the Carnival

The Aranceri teams

The History of the Historic Carnival of Ivrea

The General

The Battle of the Oranges

The main figures

The Mugnaia

The Berretto frigio

Other figures of the Parade

Eating and drinking during Carnival

The places of the Carnival

During the Historic Ivrea Carnival, the city becomes a spectacle unlike any other. Beyond the Battle of the Oranges, the celebration is made up of deeply cherished rituals, each with its own special setting: a square, a bridge, a street, a church, a palace or a balcony. The city is transformed into a stage where the community rediscovers its identity and its roots, united by the enduring ideal of Freedom.

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Carri da Getto

The Carri da Getto represent the defence of the Feudal Lord against the popular uprising, embodied by the Aranceri on foot. They are therefore the other indispensable element that allows the Battle of the Oranges to renew its historical and symbolic significance year after year. True communities in their own right, the Carri da Getto devote meticulous attention to every aspect of their participation in the Carnival, down to the smallest detail: from the masks and decorations to the horses' harnesses.

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The days of the Carnival

The Carnival in Ivrea is awaited with great anticipation and, in many ways, lasts all year long. Even so, it follows a precise calendar and a ceremonial tradition that is faithfully observed. Epiphany marks the official opening of the celebration with the first appearance of the Pifferi e Tamburi and the investiture of the General. From that moment on, Ivrea embraces the Carnival. Day after day, ritual after ritual, the city comes alive in celebration until Ash Wednesday, when the festivities draw to a close.

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The Aranceri teams

There are nine teams of Aranceri on foot who, wearing no protective gear other than the tunic and trousers in their team colours, challenge those aboard the Carri da Getto, giving rise to a duel of profound symbolic significance. Their historic uniforms and banners embody a deep sense of identity and a strong attachment to tradition, values that are deeply rooted in the hearts of all participants.

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The History of the Historic Carnival of Ivrea

We must begin in 1194, the year in which a popular uprising freed Ivrea from a tyrant: this is the epic element that would inspire the future Carnival of Ivrea from the fourteenth century onwards, when the first neighbourhood carnivals were celebrated. Eight centuries after the legend of the tyrant slain by Violetta, the Historic Carnival of Ivrea continues to embody the values of Freedom, to pass on its symbolic meaning, and to affirm itself as a civic celebration for all.

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The General

The General is one of the most beloved figures of the Historic Ivrea Carnival and serves as the authority in charge of the celebration, wearing a uniform inspired by the Napoleonic era. Having received the office from his predecessor on Epiphany, the General is symbolically invested with full authority by the Mayor of Ivrea on Fat Thursday.

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The Battle of the Oranges

The Battle of the Oranges is the most spectacular event of the Historic Ivrea Carnival, a cultural heritage tradition that ranks the celebration among the most significant Carnival events on the international stage. Nine teams of Aranceri on foot, wearing no protective gear other than their team colours, challenge the Carri da Getto, whose orange throwers are protected by leather masks. The Battle commemorates the popular uprising in which the people of Ivrea rose up against the tyrant and his soldiers.

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The main figures

The Historic Ivrea Carnival has deep medieval roots. Having evolved into a civic celebration during the nineteenth century, it is considered the oldest Carnival in Italy. Five historic figures lie at the heart of the celebration: the Vezzosa Mugnaia, the General, the Deputy Grand Chancellor, the Abbà, and the Podestà.

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The Mugnaia

"Should anyone dare show disrespect to the Mugnaia, that strong yet gracious symbol, all of Ivrea would rise in fury to defend her." The Vezzosa Mugnaia is the most important figure of the Historic Ivrea Carnival. Introduced into the celebration in 1858, she embodies "Violetta", the miller's daughter who defied the tyrant oppressing the people by beheading him, thus sparking the popular uprising.

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The Berretto frigio

The Berretto frigio (Phrygian cap) is one of the most iconic symbols of the Historic Ivrea Carnival, with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. During the days of the Carnival, it is worn by the people of Ivrea and by visitors alike, as it represents the ideal of Freedom, the very heart of the celebration.

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Other figures of the Parade

Understanding the Ivrea Carnival means recognizing the importance of each of its elements: traditions, symbols, and customs that have evolved over time and have been codified into a ceremonial tradition repeated for more than two centuries. Alongside the main characters, several historic groups help bring the parade to life: the "Pifferi e Tamburi", the "Stato Maggiore", the "Scorta d'Onore della Mugnaia", and the "Alfieri".

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Eating and drinking during Carnival

The Historic Ivrea Carnival is rooted in a rich tapestry of rituals and traditions that have strengthened the sense of community for centuries, with food forming an integral part of this cultural heritage. From the Sundays leading up to Carnival to the days of the celebration itself, long-established culinary traditions and the lively food initiatives organised by the Aranceri come together to offer everyone a true journey through the history, culture and spirit of the local area.

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For more details and information:

Official website of the Historical Carnival of Ivrea

To discover the full history of the Carnival and plan your visit, please visit the website of the Fondazione dello Storico Carnevale di Ivrea: here you will find the full program, tickets and official updates.