Situated on the Antognano mountain (m 805 above sea level), the castle overlooks the valleys of the rivers Secchia and Tresinaro. The building of the first fortified defensive garrison dates back to X century and was made by Atto Adalberto di Canossa, an ancestor of Matilde di Canossa. It was in fact during the reign of this very resourceful countess that the castle reached the highest point in its history: the countess enriched the castle building adding to the complex the romanic church of Sant’Andrea, sanctified in 1077 and still well preserved.
The Castello delle Carpinete was the core of the cristian world during the age of the fights for power over Europe between Popedom and Empire, and in 1092 it hosted the convention of Carpineti, a very important event in the history of the conflict between Popedom and Emperor Henry IV.
The castle has the structure of a castle-enclosure, and the first wall belt was originally included borough and church.
Inside this first belt there was another wall belt defending the fortified core of the complex, smaller and higher.
In this very last defensive stronghold were the most important military and residential buildings: the mastio – a tower shaped fortress – and the water tanks.
The square tower has four different levels, still recognizable by the signs on the walls.
The top of the fortress and its absolutely stunning view can today be reached by an external staircase.
It is still possible to see the cemetery of the castle borough, that dates back to XVI century.

https://www.comune.carpineti.re.it

Castello delle Carpinete

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The Castle of Canossa is a castle in Canossa, province of Reggio Emilia, northern Italy.

It is especially known as the seat of the Walk to Canossa, the meeting of Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy (1077).

History
The castle was built around 940 by Adalberto Atto, son of Sigifredo of Lucca, a Lombard prince, on the summit of a rocky hill. Apart from Adalberto's residence, it included a convent with 12 Benedictine monks and the church of Sant'Apollonio. It was protected by a triple line of walls; between the two lower lines were the barracks and the residence of the servants.

During the Middle Ages, it was one of the most impregnable castles in Italy. Here in 950 Adelaide of Italy, the widow of King Lothair II, took refuge; Berengar II of Ivrea besieged her for three years, but in vain.

The next most relevant episode is the famous reconciliation between Henry IV and Gregory VII, who was a friend of Matilda of Tuscany, who had inherited the castle, the centre of an impressive chain of watch towers and castles. Matilda established that her lands would be assigned to the Church after her death (1115), but her heirs did not accept it.

In 1255 the men of Reggio destroyed the castle and the church. Later it was returned to the Canossa family. After the death of Giberto da Correggio in 1321, it was again a possession of Reggio until 1402, when Simone, Guido and Alberto Canossa gained it back; in 1409, however, they ceded it to the House of Este, who (apart a short period under Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma in 1557) held it until 1796.

In 1502 Ercole I d'Este named the poet Ludovico Ariosto castellan. He resided here for six months. In 1593 Canossa was assigned as fief to the Counts Rondinelli. In 1642 Duke Francesco I entrusted it to the Valentini. The latter were ousted in 1796 by the rebellious local population, who joined the Republic of Reggio.

After being returned to the Valentini, in 1878 the Castle was acquired by the Italian State, and was declared a national monument.

Canossa Castle

Il castello di Rossena si trova nel comune di Canossa in provincia di Reggio Emilia, nell'Appennino reggiano.
Storia
Il castello di Rossena nasce come fortezza militare posta a difesa del castello di Canossa, sito nelle immediate vicinanze, con lo scopo di arrestare eventuali aggressioni nemiche provenienti dalla valle dell'Enza. La costruzione, probabilmente iniziata intorno al 950, si origina a partire da una struttura preesistente, che costituisce il mastio. Essa era paragonabile per tipologia alla vicina torre di Rossenella. Si organizza su tre livelli ed è caratterizzato tre cinta murarie.

Inizialmente di proprietà della famiglia Canossa, passa in mano alla famiglia Da Correggio fino al 1612, quando il ducato di Parma ne entra in possesso.

Nel 2000 ha subito un restauro che ha permesso anche l'utilizzo della struttura per scopi ricettivi.



Castello di Rossena

The castles were defensive outposts in a first line of defence for Canossa against attack coming from the direction of Lombardy or the alpine passes. Over the centuries Bianello was both stronghold and home to the Canossa family until the mid-18th century when it became a noble residence. The castle is a compact building, its outer walls built to a polygonal plan. A stone tablet at the entrance to the castle walls bears the inscription: "Comitissae Matildis opus", but the castle, and the other three, are in fact of earlier construction. The origins of the castle as a lookout tower can be traced back to the 10th century. Matilda herself resided almost habitually at Bianello and it was here that she hosted a penitent Henry V before the historic meeting of 1077. Popes and princes were guests at Bianello and in 1111 Matilda received Henry V after his coronation in Rome and was herself proclaimed by him Imperial Vicar in Italy. These were the beginnings of the peace established at the Concorde of Worms ten years later. After the death of Matilda the castle remained in the Canossa family. The castle then underwent numerous transformations which changed it into a noble residence, but it still conserves some interesting elements of the original stronghold and in one of the rooms a painting of the 14th century depicting Matilda holding a pomegranate flower and the words "tuetur et unit". From the castle there is an exceptional panorama of one of the most fertile valleys in the world.

Matilda's residence and Henry V's visits are commemorated in a celebration of the events which has been repeated annually for the last twenty years, and which has seen the creation of the "Matilda Prize".  At the foot of the hill is a church, restored several times over the years, which conserves an interesting carved lunette, an architrave decorated with floral patterns and a hand raised in blessing, and several stone fragments decorated with the simple, refined art typical of buildings, especially religious buildings, of that time.

https://turismo.comune.re.it

Bianello Castle

Il castello di Dinazzano è un antico edificio difensivo sito a Dinazzano, nel comune di Casalgrande, in provincia di Reggio Emilia.
Storia
In un documento del 968 risulta appartenente, assieme a Fogliano e Castellarano al Contado di Parma.

Nel 1180 il castello di Dinazzano risulta appartenente per un terzo al Comune di Reggio, che controllava così il percorso del Canale di Secchia ed il confine con Modena, per un terzo ai Montemagno, che in quello stesso anno cedettero la loro 'quota' ai reggiani affinché lo fortificassero, e per un altro terzo ai signori di Sassuolo.

Nel 1275 Bernabò da Magreta lo vendette a Manfredo da Sassuolo, della famiglia Della Rosa.

Nel 1318 i reggiani si ripresero il castello che venne poi nel 1335 assegnato ai Da Fogliano.

Nel 1409 i Da Fogliano, alleati di Ottobuono de' Terzi, furono sconfitti da Niccolò III d'Este, pertanto furono costretti a cederlo; dapprima fu infeudato ai Della Sala, in seguito il territorio passò ai Boiardo, divenendo parte della Contea di Scandiano.

Nel 1443 il castello fu ulteriormente fortificato.

Nel 1474, dopo vari contrasti tra il conte Matteo Maria Boiardo ed il conte Giovanni Boiardo, suo cugino, il territorio della Contea di Scandiano venne diviso: a Matteo Maria andarono i territori di Scandiano, Gesso, Torricella e Sabbione, mentre Giovanni prendeva Arceto, Casalgrande, Dinazzano, Salvaterra e Montebabbio. L’investitura per Giovanni Boiardo di questi territori, tra cui Dinazzano, fu confermata dalla Camera Ducale Estense una prima volta nel 1475 e successivamente nel 1490[1].

Nel 1499, alla morte del conte Camillo Boiardo, senza eredi, il territorio diviso nel 1474 venne riunificato nuovamente dal conte Giovanni Boiardo.

Descrizione
Il castello di Dinazzano sorge sulla pedecollina reggiana. Dalle sue mura, ora diroccate e pericolanti, era possibile dominare oltre al canale di Secchia, anche tutta l'alta pianura compresa tra Reggio e Modena. Oggigiorno resta in buono stato la torre del mastio, dotata di merlatura e piombatoi.

Castello di Dinazzano

The architectural complex, which covers an area of 5000 square metres, has been rebuilt numerous times through its history. Originally erected in 1315 as a defensive stronghold by the Da Fogliano family, it was transformed into the noble residence of the Boiardo family (1423-1560) and later became the Renaissance palazzo of the Marquis Thiene (1565-1623) and the princes of Este (1625-1726).

The complex comprises coexisting structures from the Middle Ages (postern tower at the north entrance and the arches of the courtyard), the Renaissance (portico of the courtyard), and the Baroque period (staircase, two-light mullioned windows, architraves of the courtyard, stucco decorations in the Estense apartment). The entire history of Scandiano and its people took place around the castle. The poet Matteo Maria Boiardo was born in a room on the first floor; in the basement rooms the great scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani was known to conduct his experiments. Illustrious guests at the castle included the poet Francesco Petrarca, the reformer Giovanni Calvino, and Pope Paul III. Here on 10th October 1796, freedom and Napoleon were extolled, and Scandiano joined the Cispadane Republic. Once again inside the castle, the plebiscite was held on 11th March 18?0 which sanctioned the admission of Scandiano to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Up to the 18th century, the castle held an important cycle of frescoes by the painter Nicolò dell’Abate, which are now conserved at the Galleria Estense in Modena. Many artists worked in the castle, including Bartolomeo Spani, Giovan Battista Aleotti, and Antonio Traeri.
The grand staircase of the castle was conceived in its original configuration by Giovan Battista Aleotti in the early 1600s. The pincer-like staircase was added some years later and was probably commissioned by the Bentivoglio family. The terracotta statues probably depict distinguished members of the Thiene family and were created in 1619 by the Genoese sculptor Giova Battista Pontelli. The four surviving statues among the many created by Aleotti (including an equestrian one) probably depict, starting from the top of the staircase and proceeding anti-clockwise: Marcantonio, Ottavio I, Giulio, and Ottavio II Thiene. The latter statue (the most successful one) shows affinities with Classical statuary. It is not to be excluded that the stylistic archetypes of the other three warriors with their “monstrous armour” and demigod posture can also be found in Classical statuary.

https://turismo.comune.re.it

Boiardo Fortress

While archaeological exploration and restoration of the fortified Sarzana castle complex in Casina (province of Reggio Emilia) were proceeding, some preliminary archaeological campaigns were conducted contemporaneously with execution of the architectural restoration works. The archaeological campaigns, conducted in two distinct phases, revealed the structure of a church inside the castle walls associated with a group of interment burials. Habitation at the site is documented from the Tenth century. All traces had been lost of the church. Excavations identified the apse as the oldest phase of building dating to the Roman era with at least two successive building phases until the church was deconsecrated in the mid-Nineteenth century. The archaeological and restoration works revealed the relation between the castle fortifications, the place of Christian cult and the burial ground. The historical research related to the archaeological investigation and restoration works is being conducted now. Results will be published in a book dedicated to this fascinating corner of the Apennine range that was so profoundly linked to the historical events and settlements of the Attonidi feudal lords.

https://www.tecton.it

Castello di Sarzano

Il castello di Arceto è un edificio che domina il centro storico dell'abitato di Arceto, frazione Scandiano, in provincia di Reggio Emilia.
Storia e descrizione
Tipico castello medioevale del quale sono ancora visibili i percorsi dei fossati e delle mura.

Attestato già alla fine del IX secolo, l'edificio venne consegnato ai vescovi di Reggio dall'imperatore Ottone I di Sassonia nel 962. Dopo essere appartenuto per anni alla famiglia Da Fogliano, Arceto venne ad essi strappato dagli Estensi e nel 1414 consegnato ai Boiardo, che provvidero a importanti interventi sugli edifici.

Nel 1474, dopo vari contrasti tra i due feudatari Matteo Maria Boiardo e Giovanni Boiardo, il territorio della Contea di Scandiano venne diviso: a Matteo Maria andarono i territori di Scandiano, Gesso, Torricella e Sabbione, mentre il cugino Giovanni prendeva Arceto, Casalgrande, Dinazzano, Salvaterra e Montebabbio. L’investitura per Giovanni Boiardo di detti territori fu confermata dalla Camera Ducale Estense una prima volta nel 1475 e successivamente nel 1490.

Nel 1499, alla morte del conte Camillo Boiardo, figlio di Matteo Maria Boiardo, successore di questi come feudatario di Scandiano, il territorio diviso nel 1474 si riunì nuovamente sotto il controllo di Giovanni Boiardo.

Nel 1565 il castello divenne di proprietà Ottavio I Thiene, marito di Laura Boiardo, figlia ed erede del penultimo feudatario Giulio Boiardo. La nobile famiglia dei conti Thiene, durante la sua amministrazione del feudo (1565-1622), fece costruire all'interno del castello l'oratorio dedicato a San Rocco e la rocca.

Il castello, tra il 1622 ed il 1634 passò sotto il controllo diretto di Casa d'Este, per poi passare ai Bentivoglio e successivamente nel 1643 al ramo cadetto degli Este di Scandiano.

Nel 1740 il marchese Giovanni Battista De Mari restaurò la rocca, apportando importanti modifiche e aggiungendo degli edifici laterali. È del 1751 la realizzazione di un grande scalone interno ornato di cinque statue in terracotta.

Nel 1777 il castello passò a Livia De Mari (figlia di Giovanni Battista), sposata con il marchese Andrea Spinola della nobile famiglia genovese degli Spinola di San Luca, marchesi di San Donnino di Liguria, Arceto e Corticella. Nobili dei marchesi di Lerma.

Nel 1796 il castello di Arceto verrà tolto agli Spinola, in seguito all'abolizioni dei feudi.

Nel 1811 per decreto napoleonico il castello tornerà in possesso degli Spinola, che lo rivenderanno successivamente al banchiere Parodi; quest'ultimo lo rivenderà a sua volta a Flaminio Regnani.

Attualmente il Comune di Scandiano è proprietario di parte del castello e del piano nobile.