About
500,000 pounds of citrus are used to recreate a 12th-century Italian skirmish.
Each year, before Fat Tuesday, townspeople of Ivrea divide up into nine different squads and go to designated streets of Ivrea dressed in battle attire. Over the course of the next three days leading up to the holiday, they hurl oranges at each other, attempting to "kill" the other teams. Although the origins are historically unclear, most people know the tale of the evil marquis, who attempted to rape a young woman in the town, but was instead decapitated by the woman. In response to his death, the townspeople stormed his palace in revolt. This is symbolized by the Battle of Oranges every year.
