Overview
The remains of the majestic Canossa Fortress rest on a white sandstone cliff, representing only part of the area originally covered by natural soil erosion. The picturesque landscape and the important history that surrounds it ensure that it is a place of great interest.
The construction of the castle took place around 940 during the reign of the Longobard Azzo Adalberto and was part of a larger defence system that protected the Apennine valleys and the plain. In 950 Adelaide, widow of Lotario I, King of Italy, found refuge in this place, which became famous for the meeting between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Enrico IV on 27 January 1077, in the presence of Countess Matilde and Abbot Ugo di Cluny.
Over the centuries, the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, but thanks to meticulous archaeological research, many original elements have been recovered. Purchased in 1878 by the Italian government, it was declared a National Monument. Also on the site is the "Naborre Campanini" museum, which contains artefacts found during excavations carried out between 1877 and 1893. The exhibits relate to various topics, such as the figure of Matilda and her era, the history of the excavations, and a nature trail.
