Historic Carnival of Albiano d'Ivrea

A historic carnival in the heart of the Canavese

The Historic Carnival of Albiano d'Ivrea is one of the most cherished traditions in the Canavese region, located in the municipality of Albiano d'Ivrea, in the province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. While distinct from the more famous Ivrea Carnival, it follows a scaled-down version of its ceremonial and characteristics: historical figures, opulent costumes, and, above all, the spectacular battle of the oranges. Albiano is the only town, other than Ivrea, where the orange-throwing takes place, making this festival a truly unique event.

The legend of Violetta

The symbolic heart of the carnival is the legend of Violetta, traditionally the daughter of an Albiano miller who owned a floating mill on the Dora river. A beautiful bride-to-be, Violetta went to the tyrant's room and killed him, sparking the popular uprising that led to the destruction of the castle. This origin story fuels the narrative of the people's triumph over tyranny, which is reflected in every moment of the event. Unlike in Ivrea, where the Miller's Daughter is a married woman, in Albiano the Charming Miller's Daughter (Vezzosa Mugnaia) is a young unmarried woman: legend has it that Violetta left Albiano as a maiden and arrived in Ivrea as a bride.

Historical figures

The protagonists of the festival are the Charming Miller's Daughter, the General with his Staff—a legacy of the Napoleonic era when Albiano was part of the Department of the Dora—as well as pages, canteen keepers, junior officers, ladies-in-waiting, and the Secretary Grand Chancellor in 17th-century attire. The event opens with the traditional raising of the Abbà, a moment that marks the beginning of the carnival's main festivities. A photograph of the Miller's Daughter dating back to 1890 testifies to the antiquity of this Albiano tradition.

The battle of the oranges

The spectacular heart of the festival is the battle of the oranges: the local foot team, known as Ariete, faces the throwing carts lined up in front of the town church, the main shooting zone. The first mention of the orange-throwing dates back to a parish bulletin from 1925, while the current format was created in the autumn of 1973 and debuted in the 1974 Carnival, thanks to founders Walter Barbero, Sergio Leonardi, and Luciano Debernardi.

A festival for the whole town

More than just a show, the Albiano d'Ivrea Carnival is a grand collective event that brings together children and the elderly, weaving the town's historical roots with its future. Organized by the Filocarnevalesca Association, the event enlivens the town center for days with processions, convivial moments, and evenings where the entire community gathers. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Canavese and a Piedmontese tradition that remains vibrant and participatory.