Ivrea, is located on the "La Serra" hill, dominated by the 4 towers of the Arduino Castle, built in 1358 by Amedeo IV of Savoy, now used as a venue for events and exhibitions.
The ancient city of epic, is located in the Canavese, hilly area on the border with Gran Paradiso Park, of which Ivrea it is considered the capital. The river Dora Baltea, channeled into the so-called “Canal of Ivrea“, calmly crosses the city giving it romantic and unexpected glimpses.
Ivrea what to see
1 Among the streets of the historic center of Ivrea
The streets of the historic center of Ivrea, scene of the Battle of the Oranges in the days of famous Carnival of Ivrea, lead our visit towards the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the XNUMXth century AD on the remains of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Apollo. We continue for Piazza Castello, which was once the seat of the Monastery of Santa Chiara (1310), surrounded by Bell towers of the Cathedral, Bishopric, Cleric Palace, Capitular Cloister, library and the seat of the Civic Museum; the Giacosa Theatre from 1834, in neoclassical style, restored in 1958 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Carnival of Ivrea; the Town Hall, Seat of the Municipality of Ivrea from 1758, with the curious depiction of the hemp plant on the central tower, confirming the hypothesis that the name "Canavese" derives from the cultivation of this plant.
2 Roman amphitheater of Ivrea
The Amphitheater of Ivrea was built around the middle of the 65st century AD, outside the walls, along the road to Vercelli. It is assumed that it could accommodate ten to fifteen thousand spectators. Of this ancient monument, which extends for a length of approximately 1955 metres, the foundations of the walls remain, in particular of the external elliptical perimeter wall and the replacement side walls (an archaeological term which indicates a structure which is entirely or partly underground to support a building above). Furthermore, some underground tunnels where the fighting animals were kept can still be identified. The Ivrea amphitheater was brought to light at the beginning of XNUMX and, during the excavation works, many fragments of frescoes and a long stretch of bronze covering for the backs of the podium seats were found. To build the amphitheater the Romans demolished a pre-existing villa, of which some archaeological remains are visible today. Here coins, amphorae, fragments of statues and remains of painted plaster were found.
The road, which leads from the amphitheater to ancient Eporedia, has maintained the direction of the Via delle Gallie which directly connected Roma with the territories beyond the Alps. Eporedia was therefore an obligatory passage and became an important commercial centre, consequently the population also increased considerably. The city therefore expanded, especially in the imperial period, even beyond the walls, mainly in the eastern part which was the most suitable for new settlements. New neighborhoods arose throughout the area between the amphitheater and Porta Praetoria and this is documented both by medieval sources and by archaeological excavations. An area of predominantly commercial use was discovered north of the Porta Praetoria.
3 Ivrea to visit: ithe castle
The imposing Castle of Ivrea, located in the upper part of the city, is called "castle of the red towers" by Giosuè Carducci.
The mighty building - with a square plan with a vast courtyard and strengthened at the corners by slender cylindrical towers, of which the largest was seriously damaged in 1676 by lightning - was built in 1358 commissioned by Amedeo VI of Savoy for defensive purposes. The complex in which it was inserted included the main seats of medieval political and religious power: the Municipality, the Episcopal Chapter and the Church. Significantly modified in the following years, from 1750 to 1970 the entire structure was used as a prison and was completely stripped of all the precious internal furnishings.
At the end of 2017 it was definitively transferred to the municipal administration with the cultural federalism process. The transition from the State to the territory is the result of teamwork between the State Property Agency, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism and the Municipality of Ivrea which has made it possible to develop a program for the valorisation and conservative restoration of the highly valuable asset. historical-artistic. The redevelopment of the Castle is also part of a broader project for the development of tourism which involves the entire system of Ivrea's cultural heritage.
4 What to do in Ivrea: ithe Ivrea carnival, the battle of the oranges
Il Carnival of Ivrea is recognized as an Italian event of international importance. Known to most for its spectacular battle of the oranges which takes place every year for three days in the main squares of the city, this carnival is actually an event that is characterized by the ceremonial complex, culminating in the Historical Parade, full of historical-legendary evocations that draws on different historical eras: from the medieval popular uprisings to the Napoleonic era, from the eighteenth century to the Risorgimento uprisings. And it is precisely in the Risorgimento period that the character of the Vezzosa Mugnaia was born, symbol of freedom and heroine of the festival who, accompanied by the General of Napoleonic origin, is the female protagonist of the Oldest Carnival in Italy.
