CARNAVAL D'IVREA

Since 1858, Ivrea has celebrated its grand carnival in February or March (depending on the date of Easter, which changes every year), with several historical evocations, costumed parades and the unmissable battle of the oranges. The central figure is Vezzosa Mugnaia, the heroine of the festival since 1858 and a symbol of freedom. Legend has it that she freed Ivrea from the Marquis of Montferrat, who not only starved the town but also demanded the jus primae noctis (right of the first night), i.e. the right to deflower every young girl before marriage.