Canossa
The Castle of Canossa: A millenary story in the heart of the Reggio Emilia Apennines
The Castle of Canossa stands majestically in the municipality of Canossa, in the province of Reggio Emilia, in the heart of the Reggio Emilia Apennines. With its millenary history and enchanting surrounding landscape, it fascinates visitors from all over the world.
Origin
The Castle was built around 940 by Adalberto Atto di Canossa, son of Sigifredo di Lucca, a prince of the Longobard lineage. In addition to the lord's house, the castle included a monastery of Cluniac Benedictines, where twelve monks lived, and the Church of Sant'Apollonio. The Castle was protected by triple walls and buildings that housed the village, the houses of the armed forces and servants. During the Middle Ages, it was so impregnable that Queen Adelaide of Burgundy (empress), widow of Lothair II of Italy, sought refuge in Canossa in 950 to defend herself from the Marquis of Ivrea, Berengario II of Italy. Berengario II of Italy was unable to conquer the fortress for more than 3 years.
Henry IV's Journey to Canossa
The famous event for which the Castle of Canossa became famous is the agreement established between Emperor Henry IV of Franconia and Pope Gregory VII in 1077, in which Matilda of Canossa was instrumental, especially thanks to the famous expression "Going to Canossa."
The Period After Matilda's Death
After the death of the great Countess, the struggle for the inheritance of the Matildic patrimony - which included, among other properties, the nearby Castle of Rossena and the Tower of Rossenella - continued, and it was conquered first by Reggio Emilia, who destroyed it to its foundations in 1255, then by Canossa, then by Correggio, who died in 1321. At the end of the year, the Castle will be again under the Reggio Emilia Commune, which will maintain it until 1402. In the fourteenth century, the Visconti, of whom Reggio Emilia will become the lord in 1371, provided the Castle with artillery. In 1392, the Viscontine castellan Pisanello de' Pisi stole the relics of Sant'Apollonio, San Vittore and Santa Corona from the church of the Castle of Canossa and sent them to Ottone Mandelli, who gave them to the Church of San Francesco in Pavia. In 1402, Simone, Guido and Alberto Canossa took possession of the Castle again, and then in 1409, they permanently transferred it to the Estensi. Except for some brief disputed periods (in 1557 by Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma), the Estensi maintained its ownership until 1796.
The Castle in the Renaissance
In 1502, Ercole I appointed Ludovico Ariosto as the castle captain, who resided there for over six consecutive months, and in 1593, the Castle was the fief of Count Rondinelli.
In conclusion, the Castle of Canossa represents an important historical and cultural testimony of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, marking an era in the heart of Italy. It hosts events, exhibitions, and shows that contribute to keeping the interest of visitors to the area alive. Thanks to its strategic position, the Castle is also the base for trips to the surrounding medieval villages and to appreciate the natural beauties of the Reggio Emilia Apennines.
