Going to Canossa

Canossa is perhaps the most famous landmark in the Province of Reggio Emilia. It was the scene of a famous encounter in medieval history when a Pope staying here made a German emperor wait three days before granting a readmission into the church.  It is the root of the phrase much used in northern European countries; “to go to Canossa”, when one needs to ask for clemency.  It was also the home of Matida di Canossa,  an eleventh century  Lombard queen and  Reggio’s most famous inhabitant. She was also a very close friend of the Pope in question.

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

The view from Canossa, Reggio Emilia

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

The castle sits on a rocky outcrop that dominates the surrounding countryside and is visible from many places in the foothills above Quattro Castella. It is also one of my favourite places to take a break from work at midday, far from the maddening crowd.

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

I have climbed up here many times as the views from the castle are very nice, but I had never been to the little museum that sits within the walls of the castle. It is worth a visit just to see the eleventh century carved stone font.  There are lots of other artefacts to see in this well laid out little museum.  They also let you take photographs inside, a refreshing change from most Italian cultural sites, where photography is usually forbidden and often strictly enforced by a surly guardian ( the Roman Forum at Aosta for example).

II century font, the Castle Museum, Canossa, Reggio Emilia

The Castle Museum, Canossa, Reggio Emilia

The Castle Museum, Canossa, Reggio Emilia

The Castle Museum, Canossa, Reggio Emilia

The Castle Museum, Canossa, Reggio Emilia

The Castle Museum, Canossa, Reggio Emilia

After visiting the museum I wanted to add some photographs to  my “Inside small a castle keep”  series of photographs using the 8mm full frame fisheye lens that I bought for the Olympus EM5.

Using HUgin, I have corrected the prospective somewhat.

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

Canossa, Reggio Emilia

 I have photographed this castle many times, but I have yet to take that definite photograph that sums the place up.

The surrounding countryside in winter can throw up some interesting landscapes.

Sedignano, Reggio Emilia

Sedignano, Reggio Emilia

Sedignano, Reggio Emilia