The Historical Carnival of Ivrea is a unique Italian event that re-enacts the city’s liberation from tyranny during Medieval times: a baron who starved the city was driven out thanks to a miller’s daughter who rebelled against the “jus primae noctis” and roused the people to revolt.

During the carnival battle, the people (represented by orange throwers on foot without any protection) pelt oranges at the feudal lord’s army (personified by teams throwing oranges from horse-drawn carts, who wear protective masks reminiscent of ancient armour). In order to show their involvement in the event, from the Thursday before Lent all townspeople and visitors who take to the streets wear the Phrygian cap (Berretto Frigio), a red stocking-like hat that shows their support for revolt, and therefore their aspiration to freedom.

During the fight, although there are many netted-off areas for bystanders, this hat also serves as a visual aid to the fighters, marking those not involved in the fight, though care must still be taken not to get hit in the crossfire.