The Great Countess Matilda is one of the most important and interesting female characters of the Italian medieval period.
Her family had Lombard origins and came from Lucca: the founder of the family Siegfried became the owner of a big estate in the areas of Parma and Reggio and his successors - among them Attone, Matilda's grand-grandfather - extended the properties and built fortresses in the Apennines, castles and bastions including Rocca di Canossa in 940.
In 1055, at the age of 9, Matilda inherited the realm: she became a powerful feudal lady and supporter of the Pope in the investiture controversy. A well-known anecdote regards Emperor Henry IV who, excommunicated, asked for and obtained the pardon from the Pope, as a pilgrim under the walls of Canossa Castle.
Matilda devoted herself to expand her feud, build churches, cathedrals, and poorhouses. She contributed to the birth of the University of Bologna, and in 1111, at Bianello Castle in the Province of Reggio, was crowned Vice-Queen of Italy by the new Emperor Henry V.
Matilde's kingdom reached a considerable size, from Lombardy to the border with the Papal State and the mouth of the river Po, including the present territories of Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Park, where the history and presence of the Great Countess is witnessed by castles, parish churches, and tower-houses: for instance, Beleo Church in Roncroffio, Sant'Ambrogio Church in Villaberza, and Villa Minozzo, which probably was one of Matilda's strongholds, protected by the fortified system including Carpineti and Canossa Castles. Thanks to the presence of thematic routes, it is possible to visit the Lands of Matilda and reach their heart in the territories adjacent the Park, up to Canossa.
Further info: www.matildedicanossa.it/eng/matilde.htm
