Ivrea’s Carnival tells a story of resistance to tyranny. Its celebrated heroine, the Mugnaia, is connected with the legend of a miller’s daughter who defied a feudal lord. The orange battle gives that story a collective form: the teams on foot represent the people, while the helmeted throwers on horse-drawn carts represent the tyrant’s forces. The legend should not be mistaken for a literal account of every ceremony’s origin.

The modern celebration layers that symbolism with historical figures, bands, neighbourhood rituals and formal civic acts. Oranges are its most famous image, but the festival extends from Epiphany into Shrovetide and has much more to see than the fighting. Watching the ceremonial programme helps explain the community behind the spectacle. For visitors, the essential distinction is between participants and spectators: protected viewing and adherence to the organiser’s rules are part of a well-planned stay.