If you’re interested in seeing Spain’s famous La Tomatina, Ivrea’s Battle of the Oranges is another food fight worth considering. It’s not as big as Buñol’s, but it is more authentic and hasn’t been flooded with the backpacking crowd yet.

© Francesco Zanon | Dreamstime
It’s also more historic. The exact origins are unknown, but the story centers on a tale about an Ivrea tyrant during the late Middle Ages. The nobleman attempted to exercise his right to primae noctis on the wedding night of Violetta, the miller’s daughter. In response, she decapitated the man’s head and townspeople stormed the nobleman’s palace, fighting against his henchman on horse-drawn carts.
Today, the town commemorates this act of rebellion with a mock battle, with trucks of royal jesters getting pelted by the commoners with oranges. The fight is whimsical in nature, but it’s taken much more seriously than La Tomatina. The fight is not open to the public, and thanks to the tradition of drinking mulled wine beforehand, combatants are putting some muscle behind their fruit. Injuries are rare, but people often leave with large bruises and black eyes.

© Zilli Roberto | Dreamstime
There are around 4,000 participants in the battle, comprising nine teams that include the royalists on carts and the opposing mercenri. The nearly 100,000 spectators wear red hats or wraps to show they’re not in the battle, though the unofficial rule is people can walk into the town square, take off their head covering and start throwing.
The fight takes place on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, and on Tuesday awards are given out by judges and combatants to the team that best defended themselves. Sometimes the fight gets a little too violent, but overall the occasion is a joyous one, and the most important time of the year for the people of Ivrea, who enjoy expressing the festival’s theme of liberation.

© Francesco Zanon | Dreamstime
Read This Next
Sniffing Out Truffles in Alba
Food & Drink
Oct 5, 2015#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Mar 13, 2025Spring Travel Inspiration from IHG Hotels & Resorts
Spring is right around the corner and IHG Hotels & Resorts offers travelers destination inspiration from its properties around the world.
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Hotel
Mar 13, 2025Desert Modernism Meets Japanese Minimalism at New Palm Springs Hotel
Palm Springs, California, cements its reputation as a desert retreat with the debut of Royal Sun Palm Springs, a boutique hotel blending Old Hollywood glamour with desert modernism and Japanese minimalism.
Cruises
Mar 12, 2025Now Earn Points When Booking with Cruises.com
Love earning points and miles when you book travel? If you frequently use Cruises.com, you’ll appreciate the launch of the platform’s new points-based rewards program that allows you to earn points on all your cruise bookings. You’ll additionally earn points via other activities, such as updating your online profile or completing surveys. Those points can then be used for onboard credit, cash back and more.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Hotel
Mar 12, 2025Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa Debuts Hawaiian Culture Series
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa recently announced its new Kuleana Series, highlighting Hawaiian culture. The first-of-its-kind interactive augmented reality experience from PixlBank is exclusive to resort guests.
ShareThis