Canossa
Canossa (Reggiano: Canòsa) is a comune and castle town in the Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. It is where Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV did penance in 1077 and stood three days bare-headed in the snow to reverse his excommunication by Pope Gregory VII. The Walk to Canossa is sometimes used as a symbol of the changing relationship between the medieval Church and State.
Canossa | |
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| Comune di Canossa | |
View of the Rock of Canossa with the ruins of the castle visible at the top | |
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Coat of arms | |
Location of Canossa | |
Canossa Location of Canossa in Italy Canossa Canossa (Emilia-Romagna) | |
| Coordinates: 44°36′N 10°25′E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna |
| Province | Reggio Emilia (RE) |
| Frazioni | Albareto, Borzano Chiesa, Borzano di Sopra, Borzano di Sotto, Braglie, Casalino, Cavandola, Ceredolo de' Coppi, Ceredolo dei Coppi Nuovo, Cerezzola, Ciano d'Enza, Compiano, Crognolo, Currada, Dirotte, Fornace, Gazzolo, Iagarone, Massalica, Monchio delle Olle, Pietranera, Roncaglio, Roncovetro, Rossena, Selva, Selvapiana, Solara, Trinità, Vedriano, Verlano, Votigno |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Luca Bolondi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 53 km2 (20 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 689 m (2,260 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 112 m (367 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2016) | |
| • Total | 3,778 |
| • Density | 71/km2 (180/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Canossani |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 42263 |
| Dialing code | 0522 |
| Website | Official website |
As of December 2014, Canossa has a population of 3,778, and borders the comuni of Casina, Castelnovo ne' Monti, Neviano degli Arduini (PR), San Polo d'Enza, Traversetolo (PR), Vetto, and Vezzano sul Crostolo.
The town was formerly known as Ciano d'Enza, while Canossa was the name of only the castle, now in ruins, once belonging to Matilda of Tuscany, and nearby hamlet, which lie some 8 km east of the town. The new name was decided in 1992.