Canossa Castle
Canossa Castle
4
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
24 within 3 miles
Attractions
48 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
207 reviews
Excellent
76
Very good
79
Average
36
Poor
11
Terrible
5
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Joan F
Vancouver Island, Canada146 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We drove up here from our b&b. It was very interesting and amazing views. For a nominal fee we could look around a ‘museum’ with artifacts and history of the area. There was also a 10 min video about the history. Matilda was a very strong woman for her time. We thought it was well worth our time.
Written May 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,507 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
The castle stands in a dominant position on the hills of the Reggio nell'Emilia Apennines, in a landscape made more dramatic by the presence of gullies (locally called "calanchi").
The history books, at least in Western Europe, narrate that in icy January 1077 AD, outdoors of this castle, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV for three days humbled himself (bare feet, head covered with ashes, etc.), in order to obtain from Pope Gregory VII (present in the castle) the withdrawal of the excommunication that had struck him .
The castle was owned by the Countess Matilda of Tuscany, a member of a powerful feudal family who at the time ruled a large territory, that stretched from Lake Garda up to the northern Latium.
The humiliation of the Emperor was so impressed in the memory of his contemporaries, that since then in many languages "go to Canossa" meant "to submit to the Pope", or in general, "humiliate himself in front of someone".
This dramatic episode doesn't correspond today to a well-preserved castle, but only to some ruins. However the location itself (as said) is impressive, and the historical imagination is aided by a small museum very effective in bringing the visitor at the time of the episode.
In addition, the ticket office sells a wide range of books about Middle Ages (not only in Italian) as well as some typical products of the surrounding countryside.
Overall, the site worth a detour.
The history books, at least in Western Europe, narrate that in icy January 1077 AD, outdoors of this castle, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV for three days humbled himself (bare feet, head covered with ashes, etc.), in order to obtain from Pope Gregory VII (present in the castle) the withdrawal of the excommunication that had struck him .
The castle was owned by the Countess Matilda of Tuscany, a member of a powerful feudal family who at the time ruled a large territory, that stretched from Lake Garda up to the northern Latium.
The humiliation of the Emperor was so impressed in the memory of his contemporaries, that since then in many languages "go to Canossa" meant "to submit to the Pope", or in general, "humiliate himself in front of someone".
This dramatic episode doesn't correspond today to a well-preserved castle, but only to some ruins. However the location itself (as said) is impressive, and the historical imagination is aided by a small museum very effective in bringing the visitor at the time of the episode.
In addition, the ticket office sells a wide range of books about Middle Ages (not only in Italian) as well as some typical products of the surrounding countryside.
Overall, the site worth a detour.
Written November 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelleruk
Derbyshire529 contributions
Sep 2019
When we on our balsamic vinegar tour our guide talked about Canossa castle and the history of Matilda. We figured it was worth driving out to and taking a look.
We parked in the car park at the bottom of the hill and began climbing the steps. The view was beautiful and there was barely anyone around.
We purchased our tickets in a little shop across from the gates. We saw the statue of Matilda and then made our way further up the hill.
I know there isn't much left of the castle but it was beautiful to see. They are doing so much work on the hill to make sure it's all kept in good condition. Some areas were out of bounds due to the work they are doing. It wasn't until we left we realised people were hanging down and working on the rock on the hill to keep it stable.
There is a little museum at the top, not much of it is in english. There was a very sweet lady in there who couldn't speak english but we managed to get some of what she was saying.
We really enjoyed our visit and the views are just stunning.
We parked in the car park at the bottom of the hill and began climbing the steps. The view was beautiful and there was barely anyone around.
We purchased our tickets in a little shop across from the gates. We saw the statue of Matilda and then made our way further up the hill.
I know there isn't much left of the castle but it was beautiful to see. They are doing so much work on the hill to make sure it's all kept in good condition. Some areas were out of bounds due to the work they are doing. It wasn't until we left we realised people were hanging down and working on the rock on the hill to keep it stable.
There is a little museum at the top, not much of it is in english. There was a very sweet lady in there who couldn't speak english but we managed to get some of what she was saying.
We really enjoyed our visit and the views are just stunning.
Written October 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ford-ka-9-5
Warsaw, Poland384 contributions
Aug 2018
The castle that you read about in history books has not been around for half a millenium so don't expect much, the views from the top of the hill, however, are magnificent. The place decidedly deserves a detour if you are somewhere near Parma but only history freaks will make it the main point of their journey. There is a small museum which explains (in Italian) its historical significance built on the spot where the early medieval castle once stood (the surviving ruins date from a later period).
Written September 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viridiana2012
Bologna, Italy725 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
It had been a long time I wanted to visit the place as I had been always fascinated by the figure of Matilde, the noblewoman who owned the castle. It is situated on top of a rock, extremely evocative, it almost feels like of of the romantic ruins you find in Germany or the UK (the weather the day I visited helped to create this athmosphere as it was grey and a bit rainy). What is left is just one wall of the church of the complex. However it is worth walking up to the ruin because of the wonderful view and the little musuem where you can find a lot of interesting information about the noblewoman and the history of the period (1000-1100). The castle is open during weekends for sure. Maybe worth checking opening times for the other days. You can also do a guided tour.
Written May 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ning q
China4 contributions
Dec 2015
A great site worthy of warships from any people who have interest in medieval study and political science as well as tourism industry.
Written December 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Umberto N
Reggio Emilia, Italy194 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
If you love history Canossa castle is a duty. On the top of a rock with a breathtaking landscape view on the Appenini ills. There lived Matilde the first qeen of Italy. It was middle age . She balanced the power between the Roman Pope and Emperor, Henry IV° from Germany (ancient Sassonia kingdom). That is the reason why Canossa it's so famous in Germany.
A few of materials but of high historical interest. It takes not more than 30 minutes . They are very well use. Go there and think on historical signs. It's suggestive also for our "modern" time
A few of materials but of high historical interest. It takes not more than 30 minutes . They are very well use. Go there and think on historical signs. It's suggestive also for our "modern" time
Written November 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorenzo K
Province of Brescia, Italy5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Evocative story of our past, very useful for middle school children.
We adults liked it too
We adults liked it too
Written November 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do I get to Canossa using public transportation?
Written August 28, 2016
Perchè Matilde è detta 'DI CANOSSA'? Perchè tutti questi personaggi storici convergono su Canossa e non su altri siti? Che funzione aveva ai tempi di Matilde il sito di Canossa, rispetto ad altri?
Written August 26, 2016
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing