Canossa (place)

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Canossa is a town and commune in the province of Reggio Emilia, northern Italy, situated in the foothills of the Apennines.

[edit] History

Main article: Walk to Canossa

In the 11th century, Canossa was the centre of the large possessions of countess Mathilda of Canossa, one of the most powerful feudataries of the Holy Roman Empire at the time.

During the Investiture Controversy, Canossa was the site of the famous meeting between Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor and Pope Gregory VII in 1077. Henry undertook the infamous Walk to Canossa to ask the Pope to release him from his excommunication. After waiting outside the fortress (reportedly for three days), Henry was allowed to enter the fortress and take communion with Gregory and Mathilda, signaling the end of his excommunication.

The fortress was destroyed by invaders from Reggio in 1256.