What to see in Canossa, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest in the area, including the Castle and nature trail through the Matilde path.
Tourist information
Located on the right bank of the Enza River, near the first reliefs of the Emilian Apennines, Canossa is part of a geographical area already inhabited in Etruscan and Roman times.
Between its hills and on top of its cliffs, Canossa includes romantic architectural visions made up of Matildic castles, symbols of the dominion of Matilda of Canossa, the undisputed female protagonist of the Middle Ages.
The town takes its name from the Castello di Canossa, an imposing manor that has become an evocative setting for important historical events.
What see
Canossa Castle was built around the year 940 by Adalberto Atto, son of Sigifredo di Lucca, a prince of Lombard lineage.
Located on the top of the cliff, the castle included a convent inhabited by twelve Cluniac Benedictine monks and the church of Sant'Apollonio.
The fortress was defended by a triple turn of walls, between the first and the second, which were the lowest, there were the buildings intended for the accommodation of soldiers and servants.
Of the Castle of Canossa, dating back to the ninth century and famous for having been the meeting place between Pope Gregory VII and the emperor Henry IV to reconcile to each other in the presence of Matilda of Canossa, only a few remains of the Middle Ages remain, when the fortress was remodeled to become a stately home.
The best way to get to know Canossa and the surrounding area is undoubtedly to descend into the medieval era, retracing the nourished network of paths that connects the main naturalistic and historical places of the area, including the Matilde Path which, starting from Ciano d'Enza, in the municipality of Canossa, reaches up to San Pellegrino in Alpe in Garfagnana, crossing areas where there are castles, tower houses, ancient parish churches and sandstone villages.
